Paint equivalent guide

CLEAR SMOKE AK Interactive acrylic paint equivalents (#754E23)

CLEAR SMOKE is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest CLEAR SMOKE equivalent is Dark Rust (Army Painter) (ΔE 14.1).
No close Vallejo equivalent found for CLEAR SMOKE.
For Army Painter, the closest match to CLEAR SMOKE is Dark Rust (Army Painter) (ΔE 14.1).

AK Interactive acrylic #754E23
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Top 4 closest equivalents

These 4 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.

1
Dark RustArmy Painter
ΔE 14.1significant colour distance -- test before committing
2
Fresh RustArmy Painter
ΔE 18.6significant colour distance -- test before committing
3
Oil StainsArmy Painter
ΔE 25.6significant colour distance -- test before committing
4
Deathshroud ClearCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 27.2significant colour distance -- test before committing

Best equivalents by brand

Ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000 · All brands · Interactive

Best equivalents by brand 1 colour
Buy it now · CLEAR SMOKE
Compare stock and prices · CLEAR SMOKE
Direct answer

Which equivalent should you pick for CLEAR SMOKE?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to CLEAR SMOKE in the current local catalogue is Grim Rust from Army Painter (Delta-E 12.43).

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 SMOKE 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.

No reliable Vallejo match appears in the current top equivalents.

Yes, CLEAR SMOKE 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 SMOKE is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest CLEAR SMOKE equivalent is Dark Rust (Army Painter) (ΔE 14.1).
No close Vallejo equivalent found for CLEAR SMOKE.
For Army Painter, the closest match to CLEAR SMOKE is Dark Rust (Army Painter) (ΔE 14.1).

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

The closest CLEAR SMOKE equivalent is Dark Rust (Army Painter) with Delta E 14.1. No close Vallejo equivalent found for CLEAR SMOKE. For Army Painter, the closest match to CLEAR SMOKE is Dark Rust (Army Painter) with Delta E 14.1.

CLEAR SMOKE Vallejo equivalent

No Vallejo equivalent within an acceptable colour distance was found for CLEAR SMOKE.

CLEAR SMOKE Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Dark Rust (Army Painter) with Delta E 14.1.

CLEAR SMOKE equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a paint, CLEAR SMOKE requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the warm orange range.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : Dark Rust (Army Painter) – ΔE 14.1
  • Closest Vallejo option : no close Vallejo equivalent
  • Closest Army Painter option : Dark Rust (Army Painter) – ΔE 14.1

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.

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