Metallic Paint

Shining Silver Equivalent

Shining Silver is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Shining Silver equivalent is Natural Steel (70.864) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 3.2).
For the Shining Silver equivalent Vallejo, Natural Steel (70.864) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 3.2).
The best Shining Silver Army Painter equivalent is True Brass (Army Painter) (ΔE 10.3).

Army Painter warpaint_fanatic_metallic #94969A

Top 5 closest equivalents

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

1
Natural Steel (70.864)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 3.2moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
2
IronbreakerCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 3.9moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
3
Tinny Tin (72.060)Vallejo Game Color
ΔE 4.6moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
4
Speed MetalScale75
ΔE 5.6moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
5
LeadbelcherCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 5.9moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection

Best equivalents by brand

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

Which equivalent should you pick for Shining Silver?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Shining Silver in the current local catalogue is Natural Steel (70.864) from Vallejo Model Color (Delta-E 3.18).

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.

What to check before replacing this metallic

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

Need the paint card for Shining Silver?
Usage, recipes, primer guidance, and painting context live on the dedicated paint page
View paint card →

Frequently asked questions

Shining Silver 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 Natural Steel (70.864) (Delta E 3.18).

Yes, Shining Silver 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.

Shining Silver is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Shining Silver equivalent is Natural Steel (70.864) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 3.2).
For the Shining Silver equivalent Vallejo, Natural Steel (70.864) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 3.2).
The best Shining Silver Army Painter equivalent is True Brass (Army Painter) (ΔE 10.3).

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

The closest Shining Silver equivalent is Natural Steel (70.864) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 3.2. For a Shining Silver equivalent Vallejo match, Natural Steel (70.864) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 3.2 is the closest pick. The best Shining Silver Army Painter equivalent is True Brass (Army Painter) with Delta E 10.3.

Shining Silver Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Natural Steel (70.864) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 3.2.

Shining Silver Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is True Brass (Army Painter) with Delta E 10.3.

Shining Silver equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a paint with metallic pigments, Shining Silver reflects light differently than standard colours. The colour sits in the neutral grey range.

Pigment particle size

Metallic paints use metal flakes that vary by brand. Shining Silver has a specific particle size.

Black vs white primer

The primer choice affects how Shining Silver reads. Over black the metallic appears deeper and richer.

NMM simulation vs true metallic

Shining Silver is a true metallic — the flakes do the work of simulating reflections.

Edge highlight preservation

Edge highlights on Shining Silver must contrast with the metallic base.

Tarnish and varnish

Metallic paints can tarnish over time. Shining Silver may need a varnish seal.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : Natural Steel (70.864) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 3.2
  • Closest Vallejo option : Natural Steel (70.864) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 3.2
  • Closest Army Painter option : True Brass (Army Painter) – ΔE 10.3

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.