What is the difference between Purple Black and Engine Gray?

ΔE 15 (fair). Engine Gray is a little lighter, more saturated. Swatch colours are estimates.

Purple Black vs Engine Gray

Purple Black

Brand: Nocturna Models
Range: N-Paint Basic
Code: NA09
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #473b3f (estimate)

Engine Gray

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.048
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #485362 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 14.5, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Engine Gray is a little lighter, more saturated than Purple Black.

Can I use Engine Gray instead of Purple Black?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 15). Engine Gray is a little lighter, more saturated than Purple Black.

Can I use Purple Black instead of Engine Gray?

The same difference applies the other way round: Purple Black is a little darker, 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 Purple Black on the colour wheel See Engine Gray on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Purple Black

Purple Black vs Chocolate Brown (70.872)Model Color · ΔE 3, very close · closer than Engine Gray
Purple Black vs Charcoal (72.155)Game Color · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Engine Gray
Purple Black vs Dark Sea Green (70.868)Model Color · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Engine Gray

Other Nocturna Models paints close to Engine Gray

Engine Gray vs Blue Mountain (NA12)N-Paint Basic · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Purple Black
Engine Gray vs Darkness Grey (NA11)N-Paint Basic · ΔE 9, close · closer than Purple Black
Engine Gray vs Woodland Green (NA33)N-Paint Basic · ΔE 12, fair · closer than Purple Black

All matches: Purple Black equivalents · Engine Gray equivalents