Baal Red vs Primary Magenta

How close are they?

ΔE 8.4, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Primary Magenta is a little lighter, more saturated than Baal Red. They are different kinds of paint: Citadel Baal Red is a one-coat contrast-style paint and Golden Primary Magenta is an ink, glaze or transparent paint, so they won’t behave the same on the model even where the colour is close.

Can I use Primary Magenta instead of Baal Red?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 8). Primary Magenta is a little lighter, more saturated than Baal Red. They are different kinds of paint.

Can I use Baal Red instead of Primary Magenta?

The same difference applies the other way round: Baal Red 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.