Layer Paint

Administratum Grey Equivalent

As a layer paint, this colour is formulated for translucency and smooth transitions over an existing basecoat. Neutral grey colours bridge the gap between black and white, used for stone, armour, and gradual highlights..
The closest Administratum Grey equivalent is Silver Grey (70.883) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 2.5).
For the Administratum Grey equivalent Vallejo, Silver Grey (70.883) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 2.5).
The best Administratum Grey Army Painter equivalent is Grey Castle (Army Painter) (ΔE 3.8).

Citadel (Games Workshop) layer #989C94

Top 5 closest equivalents

These 5 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.

1
Silver Grey (70.883)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 2.5slight colour difference, well within acceptable range
2
Aluminium (Metallic)AK Interactive
ΔE 2.6slight colour difference, well within acceptable range
3
M-485 Light GreyAK Interactive
ΔE 3.5moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
4
SC-03 GraphiteScale75
ΔE 3.6moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
5
Grey CastleArmy Painter
ΔE 3.8moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection

Best equivalents by brand

Ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000 · All brands · Interactive
Computing Delta-E…
Buy it now · Administratum Grey
Compare stock and prices · Administratum Grey
Direct answer

Which equivalent should you pick for Administratum Grey?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Administratum Grey in the current local catalogue is Silver Grey (70.883) from Vallejo Model Color (Delta-E 2.51).

Method

Matches are computed from the local paint catalogue with Delta-E CIEDE2000. Lower values mean a closer visual match on the miniature.

Limits

Finish, opacity, flow, and bottle format are not captured by Delta-E alone. Test the substitute if the recipe relies on a specific behaviour.

What to check before replacing this layer

Before adopting a substitute, check these points specific to this layer paint:

Armies using Administratum Grey

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Frequently asked questions

Administratum Grey is a layer paint from Citadel (Games Workshop). Its specific pigment load, drying behaviour, and finish set it apart from other paints in the same category, which is why a direct substitute needs to match more than just the colour value.

The closest Vallejo option is Silver Grey (70.883) (Delta E 2.51).

Yes, Administratum Grey is currently part of the Citadel (Games Workshop) range. Check local stock or equivalent alternatives if the pot is hard to source.

Check Delta-E, finish type, coverage, opacity, and behaviour over your chosen primer. Run a full test with one shade and one highlight pass before applying the substitute to an entire unit.

As a layer paint, this colour is formulated for translucency and smooth transitions over an existing basecoat. Neutral grey colours bridge the gap between black and white, used for stone, armour, and gradual highlights..
The closest Administratum Grey equivalent is Silver Grey (70.883) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 2.5).
For the Administratum Grey equivalent Vallejo, Silver Grey (70.883) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 2.5).
The best Administratum Grey Army Painter equivalent is Grey Castle (Army Painter) (ΔE 3.8).

As a layer paint, this colour is formulated for translucency and smooth transitions over an existing basecoat. Neutral grey colours bridge the gap between black and white, used for stone, armour, and gradual highlights.. Gris neutre clair, le highlight gris standard. 1-2 couches fines sur Dawnstone. Parfait pour roches, béton.

The closest Administratum Grey equivalent is Silver Grey (70.883) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 2.5. For a Administratum Grey equivalent Vallejo match, Silver Grey (70.883) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 2.5 is the closest pick. The best Administratum Grey Army Painter equivalent is Grey Castle (Army Painter) with Delta E 3.8.

Administratum Grey Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Silver Grey (70.883) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 2.5.

Administratum Grey Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Grey Castle (Army Painter) with Delta E 3.8.

Administratum Grey equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a layer paint, Administratum Grey is designed for smooth transitions and controlled highlights. The colour sits in the neutral grey range, with medium coverage and semi-transparent opacity over dessus d'un base gris foncé (Dawnstone, Mechanicus).

Translucency

Layer paints are more translucent than base paints by design. Administratum Grey builds colour gradually, which means a substitute must also layer well without going opaque too quickly or requiring too many coats.

Glazing technique

For best results, thin Administratum Grey to light to moderate thinning for layering and apply in multiple passes. A substitute that dries too fast or too matte will change how the glaze settles on the model.

Layering transitions

The neutral grey tone of Administratum Grey works best when layered from a darker base. Check that the substitute blends gradually without hard edges between coats.

Highlight control

Administratum Grey is commonly used for edge highlights and surface detail. A substitute with different thinning behaviour will alter how precisely you can place the highlight.

Dawnstone, Nuln Oil, Mechanicus Standard Grey and Eshin Grey are common companions to this layer. They were chosen in the original recipe because their coverage, drying speed, and finish layer in the same workflow without forcing extra corrections.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : Silver Grey (70.883) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 2.5
  • Closest Vallejo option : Silver Grey (70.883) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 2.5
  • Closest Army Painter option : Grey Castle (Army Painter) – ΔE 3.8

A layer paint substitute only becomes trustworthy once it survives the same primer, shade, and highlight sequence as the original recipe.

Looking at the surrounding palette matters because a near match can still push the finished model warmer, colder, or flatter than expected.

That combination of colour distance, finish, and recipe context is what makes a layer paint substitute reliable on an actual miniature.

That combination of colour distance, finish, and recipe context is what makes a substitute reliable on an actual miniature.

A paint substitute only becomes trustworthy once it survives the same primer, shade, and highlight sequence as the original recipe.

Looking at the surrounding palette matters too, because a near match can still push the finished model warmer, colder, flatter, or glossier than expected.

That is why the page keeps the recommendation anchored to painting workflow instead of treating Delta-E alone as the final decision.

A useful equivalent page should also reduce buying mistakes: the closer colour is not always the safer option if the bottle dries glossier, covers faster, or behaves differently on large armour panels.