What is the difference between Mars Red and Clear Orange?

ΔE 12 (fair). Clear Orange is more muted, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

Mars Red vs Clear Orange

Mars Red

Brand: Army Painter
Range: Warpaints Legacy
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #d2212c (estimate)

Clear Orange

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Color
Code: 70.956
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #cd412c (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 11.9, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Clear Orange is more muted, warmer than Mars Red.

Can I use Clear Orange instead of Mars Red?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 12). Clear Orange is more muted, warmer than Mars Red.

Can I use Mars Red instead of Clear Orange?

The same difference applies the other way round: Mars Red is more saturated, 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 Mars Red on the colour wheel See Clear Orange on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Mars Red

Mars Red vs Bloody Red (72.010)Game Color · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Clear Orange
Mars Red vs Red RLM23 (71.003)Model Air · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Clear Orange
Mars Red vs Scarlet Blood (72.106)Game Color · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Clear Orange

Other Army Painter paints close to Clear Orange

Clear Orange vs Sacred ScarletWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 9, close · closer than Mars Red
Clear Orange vs Dragon RedWarpaints Air · ΔE 12, fair · closer than Mars Red
Clear Orange vs Angelic RedWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 12, fair

All matches: Mars Red equivalents · Clear Orange equivalents