For the past few years, it’s been no secret in the automotive world that sedans are dying off. Maybe it’s because of their lackluster performance, or maybe it’s because none stand out in a sea of silver sedans.
Kia went against the grain in 2020 and released their (2021 model year), K5. It stands out from the crowd with aggressive styling, and even a turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. The sleek design elements of the K5 make it a prime candidate for a blackout build, so we did just that!
Roof Wrap
Starting from the top, we covered the roof of this K5 in gloss black vinyl. Very few cars pull off the roof wrap look as well as the K5. Roof wraps are a relatively small (and cheap) addition that can bring to life the styling of any vehicle. Pair with the existing black accents and you’ve got a recipe for a slick ride.
Another benefit to roof wraps (in addition to their great looks), is the protection they offer your vehicle. Although they may just seem like a cosmetic upgrade, they actually do a great job protecting your paint from harsh UV rays, and road debris.
Vinyl wrapping is one of the most rewarding DIY upgrades but it’s important that installation is done correctly. Vinyl wraps can last up to 10 years when installed properly (if you’re in the St. Louis area get in contact with us for all your vinyl needs)!
Window Tint
A step down from the roof is the 3M FX Window Tint we added. Many people only think of Window Tint as a cosmetic upgrade which is not true at all. Tint keeps your interior cool and protects plastics from experiencing UV fading. Pro tip; This is especially helpful if you don’t have a garage or carport!
When considering tint, it’s important to be aware of your state laws on VLT. What’s VLT you ask? Visible Light Transmission (VLT) is the amount of visible light that can pass through the window film. For example, a 50% VLT window tint will let in 50% of visible light. The lower the VLT the darker the tint.
Chrome Delete
Look beyond the windows and you’ll notice that the iconic chrome trim surrounding the K5 has been completely blacked out. We did this using the same vinyl as the roof wrap for a perfect color match. We also painted some of the rear bumper accents to complete the chrome killer look!
Vinyl chrome deletes are a great way to give your ride a blackout appearance without having to take trim off of your vehicle (in most cases).
Blackout Emblems / Badges
Moving past the roof, chrome delete, and tint, we also added some Blackout Emblems & Badges. For the front and rear Kia emblems we opted to smoke them using a special blend of tinted clear coat. This method allows you to stay cost effective, and not have to remove the emblem.
Besides the smoked emblems we also removed the badges and let our paint booth work their magic. The combination of gloss black badges, and smoked emblems gives a unique finish that makes this Kia K5 stand out even more!
Powder Coated Wheels + Brake Calipers
To finish off this Kia K5 blackout build we powder coated the wheels gloss black. When powder coating it’s important to remove any surface imperfections so they don’t show through the clear coat. The gloss black wheels pair perfectly with everything else we’ve added.
If you’re looking to change the look of your wheels without breaking the bank, powder-coating can be a great option!
With the wheels already off we decided to give the brake calipers a fresh coat of gloss black high temperature paint. Painting your brake calipers is a cheap and easy way to make your build stand out.
Potential Add-Ons
To add on to the blackout appearance of this 21′ Kia K5, smoked reflectors could have been a nice addition. Smoked reflectors are a small (often unnoticed) upgrade that tie together any blackout build.
Another potential change could have been the painted calipers. In addition to black we also offer painted calipers in red, yellow, blue and silver. These color options allow you to stand out, or lay low depending on your preferences.
