What is the difference between Faded Gray (Blassgrau) and IDF Blue?

ΔE 8 (close). IDF Blue is more saturated, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Faded Gray (Blassgrau) vs IDF Blue

Faded Gray (Blassgrau)

Brand: Mr. Hobby
Range: Mr. Color
Code: C-515
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #527179 (estimate)

IDF Blue

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.113
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #4f7287 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 7.8, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. IDF Blue is more saturated, cooler than Faded Gray (Blassgrau).

Can I use IDF Blue instead of Faded Gray (Blassgrau)?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 8). IDF Blue is more saturated, cooler than Faded Gray (Blassgrau).

Can I use Faded Gray (Blassgrau) instead of IDF Blue?

The same difference applies the other way round: Faded Gray (Blassgrau) is more muted, 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 Faded Gray (Blassgrau) on the colour wheel See IDF Blue on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Faded Gray (Blassgrau)

Faded Gray (Blassgrau) vs Faded P.R.U. Blue (71.109)Model Air · ΔE 3, very close · closer than IDF Blue
Faded Gray (Blassgrau) vs Medium Gray (71.114)Model Air · ΔE 5, very close · closer than IDF Blue
Faded Gray (Blassgrau) vs Neutral Gray (71.051)Model Air · ΔE 7, close · closer than IDF Blue

Other Mr. Hobby paints close to IDF Blue

IDF Blue vs Intermediate Blue FS35164 (C-366)Mr. Color · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Faded Gray (Blassgrau)
IDF Blue vs Gray (Grau) (C-514)Mr. Color · ΔE 6, close · closer than Faded Gray (Blassgrau)
IDF Blue vs Gray (Grau) (H-514)Aqueous Hobby Color · ΔE 6, close · closer than Faded Gray (Blassgrau)

All matches: Faded Gray (Blassgrau) equivalents · IDF Blue equivalents