Rust vs Safety Orange

How close are they?

ΔE 12.5, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Safety Orange is a little lighter, warmer than Rust.

Can I use Safety Orange instead of Rust?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 13). Safety Orange is a little lighter, warmer than Rust.

Can I use Rust instead of Safety Orange?

The same difference applies the other way round: Rust is a little darker, cooler.

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.