Paint equivalent guide

Spectrum Blue Equivalent

SPECTRUM BLUE is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest SPECTRUM BLUE equivalent is Grey Knights Steel (Citadel (Games Workshop)) (ΔE 3.9).
For the SPECTRUM BLUE equivalent Vallejo, Light Grey (70.990) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 5.9).
The best SPECTRUM BLUE Army Painter equivalent is Company Grey (Army Painter) (ΔE 5.8).

AK Interactive acrylic #B3BEBF

Top 3 closest equivalents

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

1
Grey Knights SteelCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 3.9moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
2
Mithril SilverCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 4.1moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
3
Fortress GreyCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 5.1moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection

Best equivalents by brand

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

Which equivalent should you pick for SPECTRUM BLUE?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to SPECTRUM BLUE in the current local catalogue is Grey Knights Steel from Citadel (Games Workshop) (Delta-E 3.89).

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

SPECTRUM 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 Light Grey (70.990) (Delta E 5.92).

Yes, SPECTRUM 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.

SPECTRUM BLUE is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest SPECTRUM BLUE equivalent is Grey Knights Steel (Citadel (Games Workshop)) (ΔE 3.9).
For the SPECTRUM BLUE equivalent Vallejo, Light Grey (70.990) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 5.9).
The best SPECTRUM BLUE Army Painter equivalent is Company Grey (Army Painter) (ΔE 5.8).

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

The closest SPECTRUM BLUE equivalent is Grey Knights Steel (Citadel (Games Workshop)) with Delta E 3.9. For a SPECTRUM BLUE equivalent Vallejo match, Light Grey (70.990) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 5.9 is the closest pick. The best SPECTRUM BLUE Army Painter equivalent is Company Grey (Army Painter) with Delta E 5.8.

SPECTRUM BLUE Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Light Grey (70.990) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 5.9.

SPECTRUM BLUE Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Company Grey (Army Painter) with Delta E 5.8.

SPECTRUM BLUE equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a paint, SPECTRUM BLUE requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the neutral grey range.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : Grey Knights Steel (Citadel (Games Workshop)) – ΔE 3.9
  • Closest Vallejo option : Light Grey (70.990) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 5.9
  • Closest Army Painter option : Company Grey (Army Painter) – ΔE 5.8

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.