What is the difference between Dark Mica Blue and Steel Blue?

ΔE 10 (close). Steel Blue is a little lighter. Swatch colours are estimates.

Dark Mica Blue vs Steel Blue

Dark Mica Blue

Brand: Tamiya
Range: TS Spray
Code: TS-64
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #00253a (estimate)

Steel Blue

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.087
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #1e394e (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 9.5, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Steel Blue is a little lighter than Dark Mica Blue.

Can I use Steel Blue instead of Dark Mica Blue?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 10). Steel Blue is a little lighter than Dark Mica Blue.

Can I use Dark Mica Blue instead of Steel Blue?

The same difference applies the other way round: Dark Mica Blue is a little darker.

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 Dark Mica Blue on the colour wheel See Steel Blue on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Dark Mica Blue

Dark Mica Blue vs Dark Sea Blue (70.898)Model Color · ΔE 9, close · closer than Steel Blue
Dark Mica Blue vs Signal Blue (71.091)Model Air · ΔE 9, close · closer than Steel Blue
Dark Mica Blue vs Dk Mediterr. Blue (71.313)Model Air · ΔE 9, close · closer than Steel Blue

Other Tamiya paints close to Steel Blue

Steel Blue vs Dark Blue (TS-55)TS Spray · ΔE 7, close · closer than Dark Mica Blue
Steel Blue vs Sea Blue (XF-17)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 8, close · closer than Dark Mica Blue
Steel Blue vs Gray Violet (Luftwaffe) (AS-4)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 14, fair

All matches: Dark Mica Blue equivalents · Steel Blue equivalents