Steel Red vs Gunmetal

How close are they?

ΔE 12.4, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Gunmetal is a little darker, more muted than Steel Red.

Can I use Gunmetal instead of Steel Red?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 12). Gunmetal is a little darker, more muted than Steel Red.

Can I use Steel Red instead of Gunmetal?

The same difference applies the other way round: Steel Red is a little lighter, more saturated.

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.