Technical Paint

Ardcoat alternative similar technical & texture paints matches (#F9F9F9)

Ardcoat is a transparent gloss varnish used as a finishing coat. The most credible indexed replacement is Gloss Varnish (AK Interactive) (ΔE 1.2).

Citadel (Games Workshop) technical #F9F9F9
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Direct answer

Which equivalent should you pick for Ardcoat?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Ardcoat in the current local catalogue is Matt Varnish (70.520) from Vallejo Model Color (Delta-E 1.2).

  • Closest overall: Matt Varnish (70.520) (Vallejo Model Color, Delta-E 1.2)
  • Closest Vallejo: Matt Varnish (70.520) (Delta-E 1.2)
  • Closest Army Painter: Matt Varnish (Delta-E 4.18)

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.

View the paint card for Ardcoat Read the conversion method guide Browse all equivalent pages Browse army paint lists See Lahmian Medium equivalent See Contrast Medium equivalent

What to check before replacing this technical

Before adopting a substitute, check these points specific to this technical paint:

  • Apply it as a finishing gloss coat
  • Keep the surface clean before sealing gems, lenses, or wet details
  • Avoid opaque gloss paints when you need a transparent varnish
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Frequently asked questions

Current best global replacement: Gloss Varnish (AK Interactive) (ΔE 1.2).

No. An opaque gloss paint is still opaque, while Ardcoat is used as a transparent finishing coat.

Use it in the finishing stage to protect a surface and add wet, glassy reflections to gems, lenses, or liquids.

Related paint equivalents

Lahmian Medium
Contrast Medium
Valhallan Blizzard
Astrogranite Debris
Agrellan Earth
Agrellan Badland

Ardcoat is a transparent gloss varnish used as a finishing coat. The most credible indexed replacement is Gloss Varnish (AK Interactive) (ΔE 1.2).

A gloss varnish replacement has to stay transparent and glossy after drying. Colour similarity on white data alone is not enough.

  • Best global replacement: Gloss Varnish (AK Interactive) – ΔE 1.2
  • Best colour-only result: Gloss Varnish (AK Interactive) – ΔE 1.2
  • Best functional alternative: Gloss Varnish (AK Interactive) – ΔE 1.2

How should you replace Ardcoat?

Ardcoat is applied as a gloss finishing coat. The important checks are transparency, gloss level, and finish behaviour after drying.

Use it to protect a surface, push gem or lens reflections, and create wet-looking details after the colour work is finished.

Current best global replacement: Gloss Varnish (AK Interactive) – ΔE 1.2. Closest functional alternative: Gloss Varnish (AK Interactive) – ΔE 1.2.

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