What is the difference between Buff and Pale Flesh?

ΔE 7 (close). Pale Flesh is more muted, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

Buff vs Pale Flesh

Buff

Brand: Tamiya
Range: XF Flat Acrylic
Code: XF-57
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #c39f7d (estimate)

Pale Flesh

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Fantasy-Pro
Code: 74.015
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #c5a38d (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 6.9, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Pale Flesh is more muted, warmer than Buff.

Can I use Pale Flesh instead of Buff?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 7). Pale Flesh is more muted, warmer than Buff.

Can I use Buff instead of Pale Flesh?

The same difference applies the other way round: Buff is more saturated, cooler.

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 Buff on the colour wheel See Pale Flesh on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Buff

Buff vs Sand Beige (71.244)Model Air · ΔE 8, close
Buff vs Barbarian Skin (72.071)Game Color · ΔE 9, close
Buff vs Ivory (71.075)Model Air · ΔE 10, close

Other Tamiya paints close to Pale Flesh

Pale Flesh vs Wooden Deck Tan (XF-78)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 9, close
Pale Flesh vs Wooden Deck Tan (TS-68)TS Spray · ΔE 9, close
Pale Flesh vs Deck Tan (XF-55)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 9, close

All matches: Buff equivalents · Pale Flesh equivalents