Zinc Chromate Yellow vs Desert Yellow

How close are they?

ΔE 14.6, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Desert Yellow is a little lighter, much more saturated than Zinc Chromate Yellow.

Can I use Desert Yellow instead of Zinc Chromate Yellow?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 15). Desert Yellow is a little lighter, much more saturated than Zinc Chromate Yellow.

Can I use Zinc Chromate Yellow instead of Desert Yellow?

The same difference applies the other way round: Zinc Chromate Yellow is a little darker, much more muted.

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.