Dark Skin Shade vs Petroleum Brown Wash

How close are they?

ΔE 12.7, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Petroleum Brown Wash is a little lighter, more saturated, warmer than Dark Skin Shade.

Can I use Petroleum Brown Wash instead of Dark Skin Shade?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 13). Petroleum Brown Wash is a little lighter, more saturated, warmer than Dark Skin Shade.

Can I use Dark Skin Shade instead of Petroleum Brown Wash?

The same difference applies the other way round: Dark Skin Shade is a little darker, more muted, 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.