Racing Blue vs Imperial Blue

Racing Blue

Brand
Tamiya
Range
TS Spray
Code
TS-51
Type
an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch
#024691 (estimate)

Imperial Blue

Brand
Vallejo
Range
Game Color
Code
72.020
Type
an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch
#30518d (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 11.3, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Imperial Blue is a little lighter, more muted than Racing Blue.

Can I use Imperial Blue instead of Racing Blue?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 11). Imperial Blue is a little lighter, more muted than Racing Blue.

Can I use Racing Blue instead of Imperial Blue?

The same difference applies the other way round: Racing Blue is a little darker, more saturated.

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 Racing Blue on the colour wheel See Imperial Blue on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Racing Blue

Other Tamiya paints close to Imperial Blue

All matches: Racing Blue equivalents · Imperial Blue equivalents

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