What is the difference between Light Ghost Gray and Steel Grey?

ΔE 7 (close). Steel Grey is more saturated, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

Light Ghost Gray vs Steel Grey

Light Ghost Gray

Brand: Tamiya
Range: AS Spray (aircraft)
Code: AS-26
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #86a6b5 (estimate)

Steel Grey

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Game Color
Code: 72.102
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #87acc6 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 6.5, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Steel Grey is more saturated, warmer than Light Ghost Gray.

Can I use Steel Grey instead of Light Ghost Gray?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 7). Steel Grey is more saturated, warmer than Light Ghost Gray.

Can I use Light Ghost Gray instead of Steel Grey?

The same difference applies the other way round: Light Ghost Gray is more muted, 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 Ghost Gray on the colour wheel See Steel Grey on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Light Ghost Gray

Light Ghost Gray vs Russ. AF Grey N.8 (71.345)Model Air · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Steel Grey
Light Ghost Gray vs Unders. Blue “Faded” (71.332)Model Air · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Steel Grey
Light Ghost Gray vs Flanker Blue (71.337)Model Air · ΔE 6, very close · closer than Steel Grey

Other Tamiya paints close to Steel Grey

Steel Grey vs Dark Ghost Gray (AS-25)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 12, fair
Steel Grey vs Gunship Gray 2 (AS-27)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 13, fair
Steel Grey vs Medium Gray (AS-28)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 13, fair

All matches: Light Ghost Gray equivalents · Steel Grey equivalents