What is the difference between Oil Stains and Pure Black?

ΔE 10 (close). Pure Black is a little darker, more muted. Swatch colours are estimates.

Oil Stains vs Pure Black

Oil Stains

Brand: Army Painter
Range: Warpaints Fanatic
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #1a2a2a (estimate)

Pure Black

Brand: Reaper
Range: Master Series Paints
Code: 09037
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #191919 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 9.9, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Pure Black is a little darker, more muted than Oil Stains.

Can I use Pure Black instead of Oil Stains?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 10). Pure Black is a little darker, more muted than Oil Stains.

Can I use Oil Stains instead of Pure Black?

The same difference applies the other way round: Oil Stains is a little lighter, more saturated.

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 Oil Stains on the colour wheel See Pure Black on the colour wheel

Other Reaper paints close to Oil Stains

Oil Stains vs Midnight Blue (09019)Master Series Paints · ΔE 7, close · closer than Pure Black
Oil Stains vs Blue Liner (09066)Master Series Paints · ΔE 8, close · closer than Pure Black
Oil Stains vs Stormy Sea (09193)Master Series Paints · ΔE 10, close · closer than Pure Black

Other Army Painter paints close to Pure Black

Pure Black vs Matt BlackWarpaints Air · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Oil Stains
Pure Black vs Dark Olive (WP4023P)Warpaints Historical · ΔE 7, close · closer than Oil Stains
Pure Black vs The Darkness (Vol. 1)John Blanche Vol. 1-4 · ΔE 7, close · closer than Oil Stains

All matches: Oil Stains equivalents · Pure Black equivalents