What is the difference between Imperial Red and Orange Rust?

ΔE 34 (loose). Orange Rust is noticeably lighter, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

Imperial Red vs Orange Rust

Imperial Red

Brand: Army Painter
Range: Warpaints Historical
Code: WP4165P
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #b90119 (estimate)

Orange Rust

Brand: Nocturna Models
Range: N-Paint Basic
Code: NA23
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #fb7331 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 33.7, loose: different enough that you should pick on purpose. Orange Rust is noticeably lighter, warmer than Imperial Red.

Can I use Orange Rust instead of Imperial Red?

Not as a straight swap; see the closer alternatives below. Loose match (ΔE 34). Orange Rust is noticeably lighter, warmer than Imperial Red.

Can I use Imperial Red instead of Orange Rust?

The same difference applies the other way round: Imperial Red is noticeably 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.

See Imperial Red on the colour wheel See Orange Rust on the colour wheel

Other Nocturna Models paints close to Imperial Red

Imperial Red vs Scarlett Red (NA22)N-Paint Basic · ΔE 16, loose · closer than Orange Rust
Imperial Red vs Demon Red (NA21)N-Paint Basic · ΔE 16, loose · closer than Orange Rust
Imperial Red vs Ruby Red (NA19)N-Paint Basic · ΔE 28, loose · closer than Orange Rust

Other Army Painter paints close to Orange Rust

Orange Rust vs Lava OrangeWarpaints Air · ΔE 7, close · closer than Imperial Red
Orange Rust vs Burning OreWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 10, fair · closer than Imperial Red
Orange Rust vs Mythical OrangeWarpaints Legacy · ΔE 10, fair · closer than Imperial Red

All matches: Imperial Red equivalents · Orange Rust equivalents