Zinc Chromate Yellow vs Poisonous Cloud

How close are they?

ΔE 13.7, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Poisonous Cloud is more muted, cooler than Zinc Chromate Yellow.

Can I use Poisonous Cloud instead of Zinc Chromate Yellow?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 14). Poisonous Cloud is more muted, cooler than Zinc Chromate Yellow.

Can I use Zinc Chromate Yellow instead of Poisonous Cloud?

The same difference applies the other way round: Zinc Chromate Yellow is more saturated, warmer.

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.