Cold Steel vs Heavy Metal

How close are they?

ΔE 14.7, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Heavy Metal is noticeably darker, more muted than Cold Steel.

Can I use Heavy Metal instead of Cold Steel?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 15). Heavy Metal is noticeably darker, more muted than Cold Steel.

Can I use Cold Steel instead of Heavy Metal?

The same difference applies the other way round: Cold Steel is noticeably lighter, more saturated.

ΔE is the colour difference between our two swatch estimates: under about 6 is close, over about 15 is loose. Real paints also differ in finish, coverage and how they thin, so test before you commit.