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RAL 5013 Cobalt Blue Paint
Actual color may vary from on-screen representation. Please view a physical color swatch or material sample to confirm your color choice prior to purchase.
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RAL5013 Cobalt Blue is characterized by extremely low lightness (L=18.72, LRV=2.68), yielding a distinctly dark blue appearance. The hue angle of 276.4 and b value of -23.91 place it solidly within the blue region, with a slight warmth (a=2.68) that differentiates it from pure blues. The chroma of 24.06 results in moderate saturation, allowing for clear blue identification without excessive vibrance. Gloss level strongly influences its appearance: high-gloss finishes intensify the sense of depth, while matte finishes further subdue the color and make it appear darker.
Commonly found on machinery, heavy equipment, industrial enclosures, rail and transportation components, and architectural metalwork such as gates and fences, RAL5013 Cobalt Blue is also used for touch-up and cross-material color matching in maintenance settings. Its low LRV supports dirt concealment and a sense of permanence but calls for attention to lighting for adequate safety and visibility. When matching finishes, differences in gloss and matte can substantially affect the perceived depth and richness, so evaluating the paint in its actual lighting environment is recommended.
Digital approximations
Values
HEX: #122E50
RGB: 18, 46, 80
LAB: 18.7, 2.7, -23.9
Insights
- The L value of 18.7 confirms extremely low lightness-this will read almost navy in most lighting.
- The b value of -23.9 and hue angle of 276.4 indicate a decisively blue hue, avoiding both teal and violet shifts.
- Moderate chroma (24.06) provides clear blue identity without excessive vividness, supporting practical, utilitarian use.
Digital values are approximations.
Paint appearance varies by finish and lighting.
Similar colors:
- IFS Coatings™ PLSF 20070 / RAL 5003 Sapphire Blue: darker, with a slightly cooler bluish tone and even lower chroma.
- IFS Coatings™ PRSS 23194 RAL5011 Semi Gloss Steel Blue: lighter and grayer, with more neutrality and less chromatic intensity.
- Bay Area RAL5002 Ultramarine Blue: noticeably brighter, more saturated, and cooler-toned.
Commonly found on machinery, heavy equipment, industrial enclosures, rail and transportation components, and architectural metalwork such as gates and fences, RAL5013 Cobalt Blue is also used for touch-up and cross-material color matching in maintenance settings. Its low LRV supports dirt concealment and a sense of permanence but calls for attention to lighting for adequate safety and visibility. When matching finishes, differences in gloss and matte can substantially affect the perceived depth and richness, so evaluating the paint in its actual lighting environment is recommended.
Digital approximations
Values
HEX: #122E50
RGB: 18, 46, 80
LAB: 18.7, 2.7, -23.9
Insights
- The L value of 18.7 confirms extremely low lightness-this will read almost navy in most lighting.
- The b value of -23.9 and hue angle of 276.4 indicate a decisively blue hue, avoiding both teal and violet shifts.
- Moderate chroma (24.06) provides clear blue identity without excessive vividness, supporting practical, utilitarian use.
Digital values are approximations.
Paint appearance varies by finish and lighting.
Similar colors:
- IFS Coatings™ PLSF 20070 / RAL 5003 Sapphire Blue: darker, with a slightly cooler bluish tone and even lower chroma.
- IFS Coatings™ PRSS 23194 RAL5011 Semi Gloss Steel Blue: lighter and grayer, with more neutrality and less chromatic intensity.
- Bay Area RAL5002 Ultramarine Blue: noticeably brighter, more saturated, and cooler-toned.
Product Data
About RAL
RAL is a European Color Standard often used for powder coating products and equipment. MyPerfectColor helps manufacturers; fabricators; refurbishers; equipment supply, rental and maintenance organizations save money and improve quality through exact match color solutions. Some common requests we receive for RAL Colors include spray paint, pens and bottles used for touch up and OEM applications.
Representation of the RAL Colours is done with the approval of RAL gGmbH, 53111 Bonn, Germany.
Please note that the representation of colours on the website can only approximate the actual RAL colour shades as they are registered as varnish samples.
RAL CLASSIC © RAL, Bonn 2019.
RAL DESIGN SYSTEM © RAL, Bonn 2019.
RAL EFFECT © RAL, Bonn 2019.
RAL colors may vary from RAL Color Standards based on lighting conditions, angle of view and/or due to differences in pigments, manufacturing process, substrate and/or limitations in the color capability of the paint.
Frequently Asked Questions About RAL 5013 Cobalt Blue Paint
When should I send a sample instead of ordering a standard RAL 5013 Cobalt Blue?
Send a sample when acceptance will be judged against a specific part or finish. RAL 5013 is a standardized color target, not a coating process.
Use the standard RAL 5013 match when:
- Cross-material coordination is acceptable and textures/sheens already differ.
- Low-criticality repairs (small chips, functional protection).
- Inspection will compare to a RAL standard (fan deck/reference), not an existing part.
Send a physical sample or OEM reference for a custom match when:
- Acceptance will be compared to an existing coated part, especially powder coat.
- High-visibility cosmetic surfaces or large-area repaints are involved.
- Strict inspection criteria (color plus specific gloss/texture) apply.
- A known OEM powder code/line must be followed.
- Installed parts have aged/faded and must visually blend.
What to include with your sample/PO:
- State whether to match the RAL standard or your sample (choose one).
- Target gloss at 60 degrees (e.g., GU range or matte/satin/gloss).
- Texture expectation (smooth vs orange peel) and application process.
- Substrate and service environment.
- Any OEM powder code and batch info, if applicable.
This aligns the deliverable with your acceptance basis and reduces rework risk.
Will liquid paint in RAL 5013 Cobalt Blue match a RAL 5013 powder-coated part?
Not necessarily. RAL 5013 defines the color target, but powder and liquid coatings can differ in gloss and surface texture. On a dark color like RAL 5013, sheen differences are especially noticeable.
- Powder coats often show orange peel/texture; liquid paint usually lays smoother.
- Even if the hue is correct, different gloss levels can make panels appear mismatched.
How to manage the risk:
- If matching an existing powder-coated part, specify the required 60 degrees gloss range and texture in the PO, and request a sample-based match rather than a standard RAL match.
- For field touch-up, confine application to the defect, use a sheen that approximates the part, and verify from normal viewing distance.
- When side-by-side comparison is expected, submit a control panel or part for approval before production.
What coverage and number of coats should I plan for with RAL 5013 Cobalt Blue?
Coverage varies by product, film build, primer, and method. Planning guidance for RAL 5013:
- Coats: Plan 2 light-to-medium coats over a suitable mid-gray primer for full hide and uniform appearance. Extra coats can shift gloss/texture.
- Primer: A gray undercoat (not white) reduces coats on this dark blue and helps uniformity over repairs.
- Aerosols: Typically 15-25 sq ft per can with thin passes; expect multiple passes to achieve hiding.
- Liquid (brush/roll/spray): Roughly 300-450 sq ft per gallon at about 1 mil DFT per coat; confirm with the specific product TDS.
- Verification: Run a small test panel over your actual primer/substrate to confirm hide and sheen before production.
If coating over existing powder coat, clean, scuff, and prime per system recommendations to promote adhesion and minimize visible gloss differences.
When will I receive my paint matching RAL5013 Cobalt Blue? Can I get it right away?
All paint is custom-made to order. Most orders ship quickly—often within 1–2 business days—though actual lead time can vary based on production volume.
Custom spray paint, paint pens, and brush-in-cap bottles, including colors matched to RAL5013 Cobalt Blue, typically ship within 1–2 business days. During peak periods, lead times may vary slightly.
Transit time depends on your location and the shipping method you choose. If timing is critical, select Expedited Production at checkout—most expedited orders ship within 24 business hours—or contact MyPerfectColor so we can help confirm timing for your specific deadline.
Learn more about paint production lead times.
Can I use RAL5013 Cobalt Blue for touching up powder coating?
Yes, our spray paint, paint pens and touch up bottles are ideal for touching up parts of all kinds, including powder coatings. However, keep in mind that our version of RAL5013 Cobalt Blue is based on the color swatch contained in the official RAL color book. The color and sheen of your specific production parts may be different. If you need a touch up application, we can create a touch up solution precisely matching your specific parts.
Learn more about our color matching service.
What are the RGB, HEX and LRV values for RAL5013 Cobalt Blue?
The RGB values for RAL5013 Cobalt Blue are 34, 54, 86 and the HEX code is #223656. The LRV for RAL5013 Cobalt Blue is 3.69. The LRV stands for Light Reflectance Value and measures the percentage of light that a color reflects. Learn more about using RGB and Hex codes for matching colors.
What is spray paint matched to RAL5013 Cobalt Blue made of? And how much area will one can cover?
MyPerfectColor spray paint is a fast-drying durable acrylic enamel coating suitable for interior or exterior use. MyPerfectColor custom spray paint matched to RAL5013 Cobalt Blue enables you to conveniently achieve a professional spray-smooth finish in any color in any sheen. It sticks well to most surfaces including metal, plastics, powder-coatings, cabinets and primed or previously painted wood.
The MyPerfectColor 11oz spray can will cover about 20 square feet per coat. Keep in mind that it is difficult to gauge spray paint need as the coverage is highly dependent on how it is applied. Learn more about how spray paint works at MyPerfectColor.
How to buy paint for RAL5013 Cobalt Blue?
Many types of paint are available for RAL5013 Cobalt Blue with no minimum order quantities. MyPerfectColor offers spray paint, paint pens, touch up bottles, water-based acrylics, epoxies, urethanes and a variety of other paints. Select the Paint Type button above to get started. Learn more about buying paint at MyPerfectColor.
How do I get the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) for paint matched to RAL RAL5013 Cobalt Blue?
The RAL5013 Cobalt Blue is the color and the SDS is based on the type of paint used to make the color. You can find Safety Data Sheets here for our most popular products.
Do I need a primer for RAL5013 Cobalt Blue?
The need for primer for RAL5013 Cobalt Blue depends on the type of paint, the substrate being painted and where it will be located. See our Primer Selection Table to see what primer you might need and learn more about when you might need a primer. Most people don't use a primer for a touch up paint application, but a primer may improve adhesion and is typically recommended for exterior applications.
How do I convert RAL5013 Cobalt Blue to a different color from another paint company?
While we can provide RAL5013 Cobalt Blue in paint, we don't provide any crossover information. We've found that every paint company offers its own unique selection of colors and rarely does a color have an exact equivalent in another brand.
However, under the color image on a color page there is a link that says "Explore Colors". Clicking this link displays colors with similar values and you can look for any colors from the brand you want.
Keep in mind that this just shows similar colors based on the color values we have stored in our database. It doesn't mean it is the same or give any approximation about how close the color is. You can play around with the Hue, Lightness and Chroma sliders to expand the selection.
Color details
RGB: 34 54 86
HEX: #223656
LRV: 3.69%
Color properties
Color Type:
Standard
Hide:
Standard
Match Source:
Brochure/swatch book
Match Type:
Physical match
Textured:
No
Source on hand:
Yes
Color Category:
Standard
