What is the difference between Light Blue and Magic Blue?

ΔE 13 (fair). Magic Blue is noticeably darker, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

Light Blue vs Magic Blue

Light Blue

Brand: Tamiya
Range: TS Spray
Code: TS-23
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #00acee (estimate)

Magic Blue

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Game Color
Code: 72.021
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #148dd4 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 13.4, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Magic Blue is noticeably darker, warmer than Light Blue.

Can I use Magic Blue instead of Light Blue?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 13). Magic Blue is noticeably darker, warmer than Light Blue.

Can I use Light Blue instead of Magic Blue?

The same difference applies the other way round: Light Blue is noticeably lighter, 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 Light Blue on the colour wheel See Magic Blue on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Light Blue

Light Blue vs Light Sea Blue (71.089)Model Air · ΔE 9, close · closer than Magic Blue
Light Blue vs Deep Sky Blue (70.844)Model Color · ΔE 15, loose
Light Blue vs Russian AF Blue (71.333)Model Air · ΔE 17, loose

Other Tamiya paints close to Magic Blue

Magic Blue vs French Blue (TS-10)TS Spray · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Light Blue
Magic Blue vs Brilliant Blue (PS-30)PS Spray (polycarbonate) · ΔE 11, fair · closer than Light Blue
Magic Blue vs Brilliant Blue (TS-44)TS Spray · ΔE 14, fair

All matches: Light Blue equivalents · Magic Blue equivalents