COLOR CODEB1 - Steel Blue MetallicKia Touch-Up Paint

The Look

The Rio was a punchy little car that put Kia on the map for many people, and this muted, grayish-blue served as its practical uniform. Since your car has likely been on the road for over twenty years, the original finish has survived plenty of sun and road salt. This shade is a master of disguise; it hides road grime better than a deep navy but offers more personality than a standard silver. It reflects the era of early 2000s efficiency-sensible, durable, and ready to work.

Technical Details

This is a true metallic finish, which means it relies on tiny flakes to give the surface its depth. These flakes are heavy and love to sink to the bottom of your container. If you do not mix them thoroughly, you might end up with a color that looks too dark or lacks its signature shimmer. Metallic paints also carry a risk of mottling, which looks like dark stripes or spots on the surface. This happens if the paint is applied too heavily in one spot, causing the flakes to bunch together instead of laying flat.

Best Practices

Before you spray or dab Kia Steel Blue Metallic (check for code B1), you need to shake it for at least 60 seconds to wake up those metallic particles. You can find your paint code on the silver or black sticker inside the driver's side door jamb. To get an even look without those metallic dark spots, always keep the container moving in steady, overlapping passes. If you are using a pen or brush, use light strokes rather than heavy globs. Most importantly, test the color on the included card to see how it reacts to the light in your garage or shade before you touch the car.