COLOR CODEABT - Platinum Graphite MetallicKia Touch-Up Paint

The Look

This shade is the backbone of the era when Kia transformed into a designer brand. It is a deep charcoal grey that feels upscale, whether it is on the daily-driven Rio and Picanto or the sharper, longer lines of the Magentis and Optima. Since your car has likely been braving the elements for a few years, you will find this color is a champion at hiding light road salt and dust. However, for a repair to disappear, you have to get that metallic depth to sit right against the original finish.

Technical Details

Before you spray or dab Kia Platinum Graphite Metallic (check for code ABT), you need to shake it for 60 seconds. This is a complex metallic finish, which means it relies on thousands of tiny suspended flakes to catch the light. If those flakes are not mixed well, the repair will look like a flat, muddy grey instead of a crisp match. Metallics are sensitive to how they are applied; if the paint goes on too heavy, the flakes sink and the color turns several shades darker than the rest of the door.

Best Practices

Check your driver's side door jamb for the identification sticker to confirm your code. Before applying anything to the car, test the color on the included card to ensure the shade is right. To get the best results, apply several light layers rather than one heavy one, and always keep the container moving. Give the paint plenty of drying time in a cool garage or the shade before you move on to the clear coat. If you rush the layers, you risk dragging the flakes with the nozzle or brush, which creates dark streaks in the finish.