SC-87 Decayed Metal
Metal N Alchemy
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Tainted Gold is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Tainted Gold equivalent is SC-87 Decayed Metal (Scale75) (ΔE 5.5).
No close Vallejo equivalent found for Tainted Gold.
The best Tainted Gold Army Painter equivalent is Dark Emerald (Army Painter) (ΔE 12.3).
These 5 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.
The closest cross-brand equivalent to Tainted Gold in the current local catalogue is SC-87 Decayed Metal from Scale75 (Delta-E 5.46).
Matches are computed from the local paint catalogue with Delta-E CIEDE2000. Lower values mean a closer visual match on the miniature.
Finish, opacity, flow, and bottle format are not captured by Delta-E alone. Test the substitute if the recipe relies on a specific behaviour.
Before adopting a substitute, check these points specific to this metallic paint:
Tainted Gold 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.
No reliable Vallejo match appears in the current top equivalents.
Yes, Tainted Gold 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.
Tainted Gold is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Tainted Gold equivalent is SC-87 Decayed Metal (Scale75) (ΔE 5.5).
No close Vallejo equivalent found for Tainted Gold.
The best Tainted Gold Army Painter equivalent is Dark Emerald (Army Painter) (ΔE 12.3).
Tainted Gold is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Tainted Gold equivalent is SC-87 Decayed Metal (Scale75) with Delta E 5.5. No close Vallejo equivalent found for Tainted Gold. The best Tainted Gold Army Painter equivalent is Dark Emerald (Army Painter) with Delta E 12.3.
No Vallejo equivalent within an acceptable colour distance was found for Tainted Gold.
The best Army Painter option is Dark Emerald (Army Painter) with Delta E 12.3.
As a paint with metallic pigments, Tainted Gold reflects light differently than standard colours. The colour sits in the warm yellow range.
Metallic paints use metal flakes that vary by brand. Tainted Gold has a specific particle size.
The primer choice affects how Tainted Gold reads. Over black the metallic appears deeper and richer.
Tainted Gold is a true metallic — the flakes do the work of simulating reflections.
Edge highlights on Tainted Gold must contrast with the metallic base.
Metallic paints can tarnish over time. Tainted Gold may need a varnish seal.
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.