Iron Hands Steel vs Boiler Black

How close are they?

ΔE 12.3, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Boiler Black is noticeably darker than Iron Hands Steel.

Can I use Boiler Black instead of Iron Hands Steel?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 12). Boiler Black is noticeably darker than Iron Hands Steel.

Can I use Iron Hands Steel instead of Boiler Black?

The same difference applies the other way round: Iron Hands Steel is noticeably lighter.

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.