Oily Steel (70.865)
Model Color
Metallic Paint
True Metal Steel AK Interactive metallic paint equivalents (#6E7E8E)
True Metal Steel is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest True Metal Steel equivalent is Oily Steel (70.865) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 8.5).
For Vallejo, the closest match to True Metal Steel is Oily Steel (70.865) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 8.5).
For Army Painter, the closest match to True Metal Steel is Plate Mail Metal (Army Painter) (ΔE 9.8).
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Direct answer
Which equivalent should you pick for True Metal Steel?
The closest cross-brand equivalent to True Metal Steel in the current local catalogue is Oily Steel (70.865) from Vallejo Model Color (Delta-E 8.46).
- Closest overall: Oily Steel (70.865) (Vallejo Model Color, Delta-E 8.46)
- Closest Vallejo: Oily Steel (70.865) (Delta-E 8.46)
- Closest Army Painter: Plate Mail Metal (Delta-E 9.85)
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 metallic
Before adopting a substitute, check these points specific to this metallic paint:
- Pigment size: metallic flakes settle — stir thoroughly before use
- Primer: the primer already used in your recipe — black primer gives a truer metallic sheen
- Thinning: controlled thinning — too much water dulls the metallic particles
- Coverage: reliable — metallics may need multiple thin coats
- Varnish: matte varnish kills metallic reflections — use satin or gloss
Need the paint card for True Metal Steel?
Usage, recipes, primer guidance, and painting context live on the dedicated paint page
Frequently asked questions
True Metal Steel 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 Oily Steel (70.865) (Delta E 8.46).
Yes, True Metal Steel 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.
True Metal Steel is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest True Metal Steel equivalent is Oily Steel (70.865) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 8.5).
For Vallejo, the closest match to True Metal Steel is Oily Steel (70.865) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 8.5).
For Army Painter, the closest match to True Metal Steel is Plate Mail Metal (Army Painter) (ΔE 9.8).
True Metal Steel is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest True Metal Steel equivalent is Oily Steel (70.865) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 8.5. For Vallejo, the closest match to True Metal Steel is Oily Steel (70.865) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 8.5. For Army Painter, the closest match to True Metal Steel is Plate Mail Metal (Army Painter) with Delta E 9.8.
True Metal Steel Vallejo equivalent
The closest Vallejo match is Oily Steel (70.865) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 8.5.
True Metal Steel Army Painter equivalent
The best Army Painter option is Plate Mail Metal (Army Painter) with Delta E 9.8.
True Metal Steel equivalent and alternative: brand comparison
As a paint with metallic pigments, True Metal Steel reflects light differently than standard colours. The colour sits in the deep blue range.
Pigment particle size
Metallic paints use metal flakes that vary by brand. True Metal Steel has a specific particle size.
Black vs white primer
The primer choice affects how True Metal Steel reads. Over black the metallic appears deeper and richer.
NMM simulation vs true metallic
True Metal Steel is a true metallic — the flakes do the work of simulating reflections.
Edge highlight preservation
Edge highlights on True Metal Steel must contrast with the metallic base.
Tarnish and varnish
Metallic paints can tarnish over time. True Metal Steel may need a varnish seal.
Brand comparison
- Closest equivalent : Oily Steel (70.865) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 8.5
- Closest Vallejo option : Oily Steel (70.865) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 8.5
- Closest Army Painter option : Plate Mail Metal (Army Painter) – ΔE 9.8
A metallic paint substitute only becomes trustworthy once it survives the same primer, wash, and varnish 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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