What is the difference between NATO Black and Black Red?

ΔE 7 (close). Black Red is a little lighter, more saturated. Swatch colours are estimates.

NATO Black vs Black Red

NATO Black

Brand: Tamiya
Range: TS Spray
Code: TS-63
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #372124 (estimate)

Black Red

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Color
Code: 70.859
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #48282c (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 6.6, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Black Red is a little lighter, more saturated than NATO Black.

Can I use Black Red instead of NATO Black?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 7). Black Red is a little lighter, more saturated than NATO Black.

Can I use NATO Black instead of Black Red?

The same difference applies the other way round: NATO 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 NATO Black on the colour wheel See Black Red on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to NATO Black

NATO Black vs Dark Rust (70.771)Model Color · ΔE 3, very close · closer than Black Red
NATO Black vs Hull Red (71.039)Model Air · ΔE 7, close · closer than Black Red
NATO Black vs Olive Brown (70.889)Model Color · ΔE 7, close

Other Tamiya paints close to Black Red

Black Red vs Flat Brown (XF-10)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 11, fair
Black Red vs Red Brown 2 (XF-90)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 11, fair
Black Red vs Hull Red (XF-9)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 14, fair

All matches: NATO Black equivalents · Black Red equivalents