Matt Varnish (70.520)
Model Color
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Flat Varnish is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Flat Varnish equivalent is Matt Varnish (70.520) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 3.0).
For Vallejo, the closest match to Flat Varnish is Matt Varnish (70.520) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 3.0).
For Army Painter, the closest match to Flat Varnish is Matt Varnish (Army Painter) (ΔE 2.8).
These 4 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.
Ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000 · All brands · Interactive
The closest cross-brand equivalent to Flat Varnish in the current local catalogue is Ardcoat from Citadel (Games Workshop) (Delta-E 1.85).
Matches are computed from the local paint catalogue with Delta-E CIEDE2000. Lower values mean a closer visual match on the miniature.
Finish, opacity, flow, and bottle format are not captured by Delta-E alone. Test the substitute if the recipe relies on a specific behaviour.
Before adopting a substitute, check these points specific to this base paint:
Flat Varnish 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 Matt Varnish (70.520) (Delta E 3.05).
Yes, Flat Varnish 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.
Flat Varnish is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Flat Varnish equivalent is Matt Varnish (70.520) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 3.0).
For Vallejo, the closest match to Flat Varnish is Matt Varnish (70.520) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 3.0).
For Army Painter, the closest match to Flat Varnish is Matt Varnish (Army Painter) (ΔE 2.8).
Flat Varnish is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Flat Varnish equivalent is Matt Varnish (70.520) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 3.0. For Vallejo, the closest match to Flat Varnish is Matt Varnish (70.520) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 3.0. For Army Painter, the closest match to Flat Varnish is Matt Varnish (Army Painter) with Delta E 2.8.
The closest Vallejo match is Matt Varnish (70.520) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 3.0.
The best Army Painter option is Matt Varnish (Army Painter) with Delta E 2.8.
As a paint, Flat Varnish requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the neutral grey range.
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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