Paint equivalent guide

Raf Extra Dark Sea Grey Equivalent

RAF Extra Dark Sea Grey is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest RAF Extra Dark Sea Grey equivalent is Mechanicus Standard Grey (Citadel (Games Workshop)) (ΔE 5.3).
For the RAF Extra Dark Sea Grey equivalent Vallejo, Sombre Grey (72.048) (Vallejo Game Color) (ΔE 6.0).
The best RAF Extra Dark Sea Grey Army Painter equivalent is Night Sky (Army Painter) (ΔE 5.7).

AK Interactive lacquer #3D525C

Top 3 closest equivalents

These 3 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.

1
Mechanicus Standard GreyCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 5.3moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
2
Night SkyArmy Painter
ΔE 5.7moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
3
SC-57 Petroleum GreyScale75
ΔE 5.8moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection

Best equivalents by brand

Ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000 · All brands · Interactive
Computing Delta-E…
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Direct answer

Which equivalent should you pick for RAF Extra Dark Sea Grey?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to RAF Extra Dark Sea Grey in the current local catalogue is Mechanicus Standard Grey from Citadel (Games Workshop) (Delta-E 5.31).

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

RAF Extra Dark Sea 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 Sombre Grey (72.048) (Delta E 6.00).

Yes, RAF Extra Dark Sea 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.

RAF Extra Dark Sea Grey is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest RAF Extra Dark Sea Grey equivalent is Mechanicus Standard Grey (Citadel (Games Workshop)) (ΔE 5.3).
For the RAF Extra Dark Sea Grey equivalent Vallejo, Sombre Grey (72.048) (Vallejo Game Color) (ΔE 6.0).
The best RAF Extra Dark Sea Grey Army Painter equivalent is Night Sky (Army Painter) (ΔE 5.7).

RAF Extra Dark Sea Grey is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.

The closest RAF Extra Dark Sea Grey equivalent is Mechanicus Standard Grey (Citadel (Games Workshop)) with Delta E 5.3. For a RAF Extra Dark Sea Grey equivalent Vallejo match, Sombre Grey (72.048) (Vallejo Game Color) with Delta E 6.0 is the closest pick. The best RAF Extra Dark Sea Grey Army Painter equivalent is Night Sky (Army Painter) with Delta E 5.7.

RAF Extra Dark Sea Grey Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Sombre Grey (72.048) (Vallejo Game Color) with Delta E 6.0.

RAF Extra Dark Sea Grey Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Night Sky (Army Painter) with Delta E 5.7.

RAF Extra Dark Sea Grey equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a paint, RAF Extra Dark Sea Grey requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the teal range.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : Mechanicus Standard Grey (Citadel (Games Workshop)) – ΔE 5.3
  • Closest Vallejo option : Sombre Grey (72.048) (Vallejo Game Color) – ΔE 6.0
  • Closest Army Painter option : Night Sky (Army Painter) – ΔE 5.7

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.