Matt Black vs Barrel Grey

How close are they?

ΔE 12.6, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Barrel Grey is noticeably lighter, more saturated than Matt Black.

Can I use Barrel Grey instead of Matt Black?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 13). Barrel Grey is noticeably lighter, more saturated than Matt Black.

Can I use Matt Black instead of Barrel Grey?

The same difference applies the other way round: Matt Black is noticeably darker, 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.