What is the difference between Ground Color and Rust?

ΔE 10 (fair). Rust is more saturated. Swatch colours are estimates.

Ground Color vs Rust

Ground Color

Brand: Mr. Hobby
Range: Mr. Color
Code: C-522
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #50494d (estimate)

Rust

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.080
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #654a49 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 10.2, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Rust is more saturated than Ground Color.

Can I use Rust instead of Ground Color?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 10). Rust is more saturated than Ground Color.

Can I use Ground Color instead of Rust?

The same difference applies the other way round: Ground Color is 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.

See Ground Color on the colour wheel See Rust on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Ground Color

Ground Color vs Charcoal (72.155)Game Color · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Rust
Ground Color vs Dark Grey RLM42 (71.123)Model Air · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Rust
Ground Color vs Seaplane Gray (71.314)Model Air · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Rust

Other Mr. Hobby paints close to Rust

Rust vs IJN Linoleum Deck Color (C-606)Mr. Color · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Ground Color
Rust vs Smoke Gray (H-95)Aqueous Hobby Color · ΔE 10, fair
Rust vs Red Brown (C-41)Mr. Color · ΔE 10, fair

All matches: Ground Color equivalents · Rust equivalents