What is the difference between Zamesi Desert and Buff?

ΔE 12 (fair). Buff is more muted, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Zamesi Desert vs Buff

Zamesi Desert

Brand: Citadel / Warhammer
Range: Colour: Layer
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #d8a030 (estimate)

Buff

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Color
Code: 70.976
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #cba942 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 11.7, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Buff is more muted, cooler than Zamesi Desert.

Can I use Buff instead of Zamesi Desert?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 12). Buff is more muted, cooler than Zamesi Desert.

Can I use Zamesi Desert instead of Buff?

The same difference applies the other way round: Zamesi Desert is more saturated, warmer.

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 Zamesi Desert on the colour wheel See Buff on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Zamesi Desert

Zamesi Desert vs Yellow Ochre (70.913)Model Color · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Buff
Zamesi Desert vs Plague Brown (72.039)Game Color · ΔE 9, close · closer than Buff
Zamesi Desert vs Sand Yellow (70.916)Model Color · ΔE 10, fair · closer than Buff

Other Citadel paints close to Buff

Buff vs Golden GriffonColour: Dry · ΔE 11, fair · closer than Zamesi Desert
Buff vs Ungor FleshColour: Layer · ΔE 15, loose
Buff vs T'au Light OchreColour: Layer · ΔE 19, loose

All matches: Zamesi Desert equivalents · Buff equivalents