Hey guys. New to the forum. Really like the look of the new Forte Sedan and I'm very interested in it being my next car. My question is this. I've heard in the past that Hyundia/Kia paint quality is poor. I've heard things like it only receives very light coats of paint etc, not like some other auto manufacturers. I'm really fussy about paint quality so was wondering what everyone else's experiences have been so far. Love what I see in this car so far. Thanks.
Kia Paint quality?
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2021 Forte GT w/GT2, Currant Red, Wagner-Tuning Intercooler, Evilla Exhaust, Takeda S1 Intake
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I no longer listen to "what I heard" stories -- I've found information like that usually comes from biased people.
I have a 03 Sorento -- paint still looks like it did when I bought it in 03 -- it is not garaged either. My daughter's 00 Spectra looked good until her boyfriend totalled it. The only problem I've had with Kia paint was the bumpers on a 01 Sephia -- started to bubble at 5-years on the tops of the bumpers. The dealer offered to repaint the bumpers but we traded it on an 06 Spectra instead.
Like any car if you take care of it it will last...have to keep it clean and wax it occasionally.
Take a look at used Kias in the lot when you test drive a Forte -- I've done this and noticed that they don't appear to have a problem with paint.
I have a 03 Sorento -- paint still looks like it did when I bought it in 03 -- it is not garaged either. My daughter's 00 Spectra looked good until her boyfriend totalled it. The only problem I've had with Kia paint was the bumpers on a 01 Sephia -- started to bubble at 5-years on the tops of the bumpers. The dealer offered to repaint the bumpers but we traded it on an 06 Spectra instead.
Like any car if you take care of it it will last...have to keep it clean and wax it occasionally.
Take a look at used Kias in the lot when you test drive a Forte -- I've done this and noticed that they don't appear to have a problem with paint.
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The paint quality on my Forte is superior, more lik VW or Audi...and much better than current Nissan, Toyota, Honda factory paint. Very minimal orange peel, unlike their competitors mentioned above.
I've heard Honda paint has slipped. I do know that the Corolla has anti chip coatings applied to the rockers, hood, wheel wells etc. to minimize chipping. Do you know anything about Kia's paint manufacturing processes, such as extra coatings? I'm new to the Korea car thing, and definitely open minded about it. I was just wondering if there's a website or something showing what they actually do to their cars. Thanks.
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I have the koup in black and no issues so far. My Tiburon is still going good.
I think its the whole thing that KIA is a cheap car......if people would get over the name brand and just look at the cars in the line up as cars and not "OH ITS A KIA"
Hyundai was also in this mind set but now is a house hold name.
I think its the whole thing that KIA is a cheap car......if people would get over the name brand and just look at the cars in the line up as cars and not "OH ITS A KIA"
Hyundai was also in this mind set but now is a house hold name.
2021 Forte GT w/GT2, Currant Red, Wagner-Tuning Intercooler, Evilla Exhaust, Takeda S1 Intake
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If you take a look at the Forte's rocker panels you will see it has anti-chip paint all along the bottoms. They also put some clear protectors at the front of the rear wheel wells. The rock/splash guards help with the rears of the wheel wells.
Don't know of any sites that show the specifics...
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I can tell you the EXACT difference between Hyundai/KIA paint processes and most of the rest of the automotive industry---I can say this because I wrecked my 08' Optima last year (before I traded it for my Forte). The manager of the KIA body shop told me that the paint that would be applied to my repaired car will be different (and better) in one way from the factory paint. And that difference is the top clear coat.
The factory top clear coat is an acrylic---and the body shop repair top coat is polyurethane.
According to the BS manager (no puns intended---well, maybe a little), the poly clear coat is far superior to chipping than the factory acrylic. Poly is hard but pliable---acrylic is hard and brittle. You WILL notice more paint chips on the front of Hyundai/KIAs from small rock and pebble hits than other makes, because it's brittle. Poly can take the hits and resist chipping.
Hope this sheds some light on the OP's question----
The factory top clear coat is an acrylic---and the body shop repair top coat is polyurethane.
According to the BS manager (no puns intended---well, maybe a little), the poly clear coat is far superior to chipping than the factory acrylic. Poly is hard but pliable---acrylic is hard and brittle. You WILL notice more paint chips on the front of Hyundai/KIAs from small rock and pebble hits than other makes, because it's brittle. Poly can take the hits and resist chipping.
Hope this sheds some light on the OP's question----
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My 08 Subaru paint chips pretty easily and is soft, although the finish is very good in appearance. So far, no chipping issues with my Kia Forte. It looks like it's superior to my Subaru paint, and Subaru is superior to other Japanese makes I've seen up close. Nissan is particularly poor.
Bottomline, Kia paint seems to be fine, and better than most...as least on their new cars.
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Why don't you just go to a Kia dealer and check out the paint quality on the Kia's? And then do the same for Honda, Toyota and Nissan. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the Kia's, and shocked at the others.
The paint on my Kia Forte looks more like a European car paint job(Audi, VW, Volvo, etc). You can tell by the high lustre and lack of orange peel appearance.
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I've used Klasse AIO and Sealant glaze since new on 2 Hyundai Elantras and the paint has held up well for over 4 years here in So Cal.
Anecdotally an 06 Subie WRX I saw for sale at the dealer recently was all tore up on the front from chips and they were asking 20K for it!!!
Anecdotally an 06 Subie WRX I saw for sale at the dealer recently was all tore up on the front from chips and they were asking 20K for it!!!
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In Subaru's defense, Subaru's tend to be driven much more on bad roads and in snow, where gravel laid down on the road for traction wreaks havoc on paint at the front of the car. That said, my 08's Subaru's paint does seem to be overly soft. I can scratch it with a fingernail, for God's sake!
Paints on all car are now enamels and water based. No more use lacquers as of about 1993 in the US market. Cars used to come with acrylic laquer, about the best paint there was.
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Oh yeah, I used to have a white '88 Dodge Diplomat and it had the peeling paint issue. California stopped allowing the use of such paints back in the late 80's I think, it comes down to a smog issue as the volatiles add to the smog mix if I understand it correctly.
it seems that you guys out there are getting much better quality cars than over here! for instance, the paint work on this car is wafer thin; scratches very easily revealing the white under coat; pockmarks are showing up all over the car.
we also don't get bluetooth, traction control, ABS or cruise control on the cars shipped here - which are 1.6L engines by the way!! no option of the bigger 2.0 and 2.4L engines.
it's almost as if you're talking about entirely different cars when I read some of the posts.
we also don't get bluetooth, traction control, ABS or cruise control on the cars shipped here - which are 1.6L engines by the way!! no option of the bigger 2.0 and 2.4L engines.
it's almost as if you're talking about entirely different cars when I read some of the posts.
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Welcome to the forums Bimbis! There are some differences between all models in different markets around the world. Somethings we get, somethings folks like you get in Nigeria.
As for paint quality. For touch ups & recoats if dealer deems neccessary should be easier and colour matching way better than previous since KIA and BASF Coatings are partnered.
As for paint quality. For touch ups & recoats if dealer deems neccessary should be easier and colour matching way better than previous since KIA and BASF Coatings are partnered.
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don't all the paint, take a metallic paint and you will never have problem!
for me, I took black and et regret it!.....very poor quality
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The paint quality on my Koup is kinda iffy. I've only had it for a month and I've found quite a few rock chips on the hood and just above the rear wheels as well as some weird spotting below the trunk lid on the bumper. It may be due to all of the construction sites and road work here in Kingston... maybe if I can keep clear of those areas I won't get many more chips.
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Yeah mine too! Every time I wash it I notice another bad chip or scrape in the paint!! Mostly on the hood. I know, I know...don't wash it
! No seriously, today I called the dealer and Kia directly and asked them about the paint quality and they both told me that they haven't heard anything bad about the paint quality and that they will document this issue. I'm taking the car to the dealer friday or saturday for them to look at it. The guy I spoke with at Kia was very helpfull and if you want to contact him directly and raise your issue with him the number is: 1-800-333-4542 option 3 Ext 45011 his name is Michael. If more people inquire about this then maybe they will get us some answers and maybe a new paint job!! I did read on an earlier post that the clear coat the factory uses is acrylic and not as durable as polyurathane.The only problem Ive had is in some places it looks like a piece of sand got under the paint and they just continued to paint. Just a couple spots but to me they stick out like aore thumb and I know they arnt really that noticeable. Would the dealership do anything about that?
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