Steel vs Bronze

How close are they?

ΔE 13.1, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Bronze is a little lighter, more saturated than Steel.

Can I use Bronze instead of Steel?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 13). Bronze is a little lighter, more saturated than Steel.

Can I use Steel instead of Bronze?

The same difference applies the other way round: Steel is a little 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.