RAL 690-3 vs Gulfstream
Where RAL 690-3 belongs to RAL Effect's range, Gulfstream is a Sherwin-Williams color. These are both blues, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within blue to land. Gulfstream (LRV 18) reflects noticeably more light than RAL 690-3 (LRV 11), a difference of 7 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. The ΔE 3.3 gap is real but not dramatic — close enough to use together, distinct enough to matter as a choice. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
RAL 690-3 vs Gulfstream in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. RAL 690-3 and Gulfstream are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Living Room
In a living room, color works across both daylight and evening light — the same wall can read very differently at noon and at 8pm. The brightness difference is modest but present — Gulfstream gives the walls a little more lift.
Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are constantly compared against adjacent materials, which means subtle differences between these two become much more visible. Gulfstream reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
Color Details
RAL 690-3 vs Gulfstream Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see RAL 690-3 on one side and Gulfstream on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More RAL 690-3 comparisons
See how RAL 690-3 stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
