Why can these black paints still look different?
Black paints can share a zero Delta-E and still behave differently on the model. Finish, texture, opacity and binder type all change the final result.
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Several paints are tied at Delta-E 0.00. Use paint type, finish and real-world behaviour to separate them. We list SC-00 Black first because it is the same broad paint type and relies on non-approximate colour data. The tied group currently includes SC-00 Black and Matt Black.
Black paints can share a zero Delta-E and still behave differently on the model. Finish, texture, opacity and binder type all change the final result.
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| Paint | Brand | Range | Preview | HEX | Delta-E | Type | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC-00 Black | Scale75 | Scalecolor | #000000 |
Delta-E 0.00
|
Acrylic
|
View paint View SC-00 Black on Amazon | |
| Matt Black | Army Painter | Warpaints | #000000 |
Estimated Delta-E ≈ 0.00
Approximate data
|
Acrylic
Miniature acrylic
|
View paint View Matt Black on Amazon | |
| BLACK | AK Interactive | 3rd Generation | #12120C |
Delta-E 4.42
|
Acrylic
|
View paint View BLACK on Amazon | |
| Black (72.051) | Vallejo Game Color | Game Color | #1A1A1A |
Delta-E 5.52
|
Acrylic
|
View paint View Black (72.051) on Amazon | |
| The Darkness | Army Painter | John Blanche Masterclass | #192128 |
Delta-E 9.22
|
Acrylic
Miniature acrylic
|
View paint View The Darkness on Amazon |
SC-00 Black is part of the tied group at Delta-E 0.00, but it appears first here because it is the same broad paint type and relies on non-approximate colour data.
Black (72.051) stays within the same broad paint type, with Delta-E 5.52.
The Darkness stays within the same broad paint type, with Delta-E 9.22.
BLACK stays within the same broad paint type, with Delta-E 4.42.
Several paints share Delta-E 0.00 on this page. That means the average colour is identical in the indexed data, not that the products behave the same on a miniature.
With near-black paints, finish, sheen, opacity and texture often create more visible differences than the average colour data itself.
Abaddon Black is mainly used for black basecoats, lining, weapons and dark details that need a clean, readable edge.
The final result still depends on primer, thinning, number of coats and the matte level you want to keep.
ChromaStack compares paints with the CIEDE2000 formula: the lower the Delta-E, the closer the average colour match.
That score helps rank alternatives, but it does not replace a real miniature test or checks on primer, finish and thinning.
Read the conversion guideBecause several indexed paints share the same average black value in the current data. That says nothing about finish, texture, opacity or binder behaviour.
Because it is a lacquer. The colour may be close, but thinner choice, application and safety precautions differ from a Citadel acrylic.
Black (72.051) is the closest indexed Vallejo option, with Delta-E 5.52.
Its score is based on approximate colour data, so the near-zero result should be treated as an informed estimate rather than as proof of a perfectly identical finish.
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