Paint equivalent guide

Clear Blue Equivalent

Clear Blue is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Clear Blue equivalent is Hoeth Blue (Citadel (Games Workshop)) (ΔE 5.2).
For the Clear Blue equivalent Vallejo, Sky Blue (70.961) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 6.2).
The best Clear Blue Army Painter equivalent is Wolf Grey (Army Painter) (ΔE 5.6).

AK Interactive lacquer #5B81CA

Top 5 closest equivalents

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

1
Hoeth BlueCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 5.2moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
2
StormfangCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 5.4moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
3
Wolf GreyArmy Painter
ΔE 5.6moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
4
Alpha BlueArmy Painter
ΔE 5.9moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
5
Teclis BlueCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 6.1significant colour distance -- test before committing

Best equivalents by brand

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

Which equivalent should you pick for Clear Blue?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Clear Blue in the current local catalogue is Hoeth Blue from Citadel (Games Workshop) (Delta-E 5.18).

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 base

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

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Frequently asked questions

Clear Blue is a paint from AK Interactive. 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 Sky Blue (70.961) (Delta E 6.15).

Yes, Clear Blue is currently part of the AK Interactive 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.

Clear Blue is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Clear Blue equivalent is Hoeth Blue (Citadel (Games Workshop)) (ΔE 5.2).
For the Clear Blue equivalent Vallejo, Sky Blue (70.961) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 6.2).
The best Clear Blue Army Painter equivalent is Wolf Grey (Army Painter) (ΔE 5.6).

Clear Blue is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.

The closest Clear Blue equivalent is Hoeth Blue (Citadel (Games Workshop)) with Delta E 5.2. For a Clear Blue equivalent Vallejo match, Sky Blue (70.961) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 6.2 is the closest pick. The best Clear Blue Army Painter equivalent is Wolf Grey (Army Painter) with Delta E 5.6.

Clear Blue Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Sky Blue (70.961) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 6.2.

Clear Blue Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Wolf Grey (Army Painter) with Delta E 5.6.

Clear Blue equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a paint, Clear Blue requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the deep blue range.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : Hoeth Blue (Citadel (Games Workshop)) – ΔE 5.2
  • Closest Vallejo option : Sky Blue (70.961) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 6.2
  • Closest Army Painter option : Wolf Grey (Army Painter) – ΔE 5.6

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 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 paint substitute reliable on an actual miniature.