Paint equivalent guide

Ironclad Grey Army Painter warpaint fanatic paint equivalents (#2F3135)

Ironclad Grey is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Ironclad Grey equivalent is Schwarzgrau – Black Grey (AK Interactive) (ΔE 2.4).
For Vallejo, the closest match to Ironclad Grey is Black Grey (70.862) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 3.1).
For Army Painter, the closest match to Ironclad Grey is The Darkness (Army Painter) (ΔE 6.2).

Army Painter warpaint_fanatic #2F3135

Top 5 closest equivalents

These 5 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.

1
Schwarzgrau – Black GreyAK Interactive
ΔE 2.4slight colour difference, well within acceptable range
2
Black Grey (70.862)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 3.1moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
3
OXFORDAK Interactive
ΔE 3.7moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
4
NATO Black (3rd Gen)AK Interactive
ΔE 3.9moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
5
German Grey (70.995)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 4.3moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection

Best equivalents by brand

Ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000 · All brands · Interactive
Computing Delta-E…
Buy it now · Ironclad Grey
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Direct answer

Which equivalent should you pick for Ironclad Grey?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Ironclad Grey in the current local catalogue is Schwarzgrau – Black Grey from AK Interactive (Delta-E 2.41).

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

Ironclad Grey is a paint from Army Painter. 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 Black Grey (70.862) (Delta E 3.14).

Yes, Ironclad Grey is currently part of the Army Painter 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.

Ironclad Grey is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Ironclad Grey equivalent is Schwarzgrau – Black Grey (AK Interactive) (ΔE 2.4).
For Vallejo, the closest match to Ironclad Grey is Black Grey (70.862) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 3.1).
For Army Painter, the closest match to Ironclad Grey is The Darkness (Army Painter) (ΔE 6.2).

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

The closest Ironclad Grey equivalent is Schwarzgrau – Black Grey (AK Interactive) with Delta E 2.4. For Vallejo, the closest match to Ironclad Grey is Black Grey (70.862) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 3.1. For Army Painter, the closest match to Ironclad Grey is The Darkness (Army Painter) with Delta E 6.2.

Ironclad Grey Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Black Grey (70.862) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 3.1.

Ironclad Grey Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is The Darkness (Army Painter) with Delta E 6.2.

Ironclad Grey equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

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

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : Schwarzgrau – Black Grey (AK Interactive) – ΔE 2.4
  • Closest Vallejo option : Black Grey (70.862) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 3.1
  • Closest Army Painter option : The Darkness (Army Painter) – ΔE 6.2

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.