Paint equivalent guide

Grimy Grey Equivalent

GRIMY GREY is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest GRIMY GREY equivalent is Deck Tan (70.986) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 2.4).
For the GRIMY GREY equivalent Vallejo, Deck Tan (70.986) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 2.4).
The best GRIMY GREY Army Painter equivalent is Knight-Questor Flesh (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.3).

AK Interactive acrylic #DFC898

Top 4 closest equivalents

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

1
Deck Tan (70.986)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 2.4slight colour difference, well within acceptable range
2
Bone White (72.034)Vallejo Game Color
ΔE 2.5slight colour difference, well within acceptable range
3
Pale Sand (70.837)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 3.4moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
4
Buff (70.976)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 4.6moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection

Best equivalents by brand

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

Which equivalent should you pick for GRIMY GREY?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to GRIMY GREY in the current local catalogue is Deck Tan (70.986) from Vallejo Model Color (Delta-E 2.38).

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

GRIMY GREY 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 Deck Tan (70.986) (Delta E 2.38).

Yes, GRIMY GREY 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.

GRIMY GREY is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest GRIMY GREY equivalent is Deck Tan (70.986) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 2.4).
For the GRIMY GREY equivalent Vallejo, Deck Tan (70.986) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 2.4).
The best GRIMY GREY Army Painter equivalent is Knight-Questor Flesh (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.3).

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

The closest GRIMY GREY equivalent is Deck Tan (70.986) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 2.4. For a GRIMY GREY equivalent Vallejo match, Deck Tan (70.986) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 2.4 is the closest pick. The best GRIMY GREY Army Painter equivalent is Knight-Questor Flesh (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.3.

GRIMY GREY Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Deck Tan (70.986) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 2.4.

GRIMY GREY Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Knight-Questor Flesh (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.3.

GRIMY GREY equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

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

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : Deck Tan (70.986) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 2.4
  • Closest Vallejo option : Deck Tan (70.986) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 2.4
  • Closest Army Painter option : Knight-Questor Flesh (Army Painter) – ΔE 4.3

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.