What is the difference between Sea Blue and Dark Blue?

ΔE 13 (fair). Dark Blue is more saturated, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

Sea Blue vs Dark Blue

Sea Blue

Brand: Tamiya
Range: XF Flat Acrylic
Code: XF-17
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #2c4160 (estimate)

Dark Blue

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Color
Code: 70.930
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #28396a (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 13.0, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Dark Blue is more saturated, warmer than Sea Blue.

Can I use Dark Blue instead of Sea Blue?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 13). Dark Blue is more saturated, warmer than Sea Blue.

Can I use Sea Blue instead of Dark Blue?

The same difference applies the other way round: Sea Blue 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 Sea Blue on the colour wheel See Dark Blue on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Sea Blue

Sea Blue vs Prussian Blue (70.965)Model Color · ΔE 3, very close · closer than Dark Blue
Sea Blue vs Dark Blue RLM24 (71.266)Model Air · ΔE 3, very close · closer than Dark Blue
Sea Blue vs Deep Sky (71.090)Model Air · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Dark Blue

Other Tamiya paints close to Dark Blue

Dark Blue vs Royal Blue (X-3)X Gloss Acrylic · ΔE 6, very close · closer than Sea Blue
Dark Blue vs Navy Blue (AS-8)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 15, loose
Dark Blue vs Dark Blue (TS-55)TS Spray · ΔE 16, loose

All matches: Sea Blue equivalents · Dark Blue equivalents