Heavy Metal vs Steel Red

How close are they?

ΔE 14.4, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Steel Red is a little darker, more saturated than Heavy Metal.

Can I use Steel Red instead of Heavy Metal?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 14). Steel Red is a little darker, more saturated than Heavy Metal.

Can I use Heavy Metal instead of Steel Red?

The same difference applies the other way round: Heavy Metal is a little lighter, 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.