DARK ALUMINUM
3rd Generation
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As a standard basecoat paint, this colour is formulated for opaque coverage over primer in one to two controlled passes. Neutral grey colours bridge the gap between black and white, used for stone, armour, and gradual highlights.
The closest Boltgun Metal equivalent is DARK ALUMINUM (AK Interactive) (ΔE 1.6).
For Vallejo, the closest match to Boltgun Metal is Neutral Grey (70.992) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 3.3).
No close Army Painter equivalent found for Boltgun Metal.
These 4 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.
Ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000 · All brands · Interactive
The closest cross-brand equivalent to Boltgun Metal in the current local catalogue is DARK ALUMINUM from AK Interactive (Delta-E 1.56).
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:
Boltgun Metal is a base paint from Citadel (Games Workshop). 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 Neutral Grey (70.992) (Delta E 3.34).
Yes, Boltgun Metal is currently part of the Citadel (Games Workshop) 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.
As a standard basecoat paint, this colour is formulated for opaque coverage over primer in one to two controlled passes. Neutral grey colours bridge the gap between black and white, used for stone, armour, and gradual highlights.
The closest Boltgun Metal equivalent is DARK ALUMINUM (AK Interactive) (ΔE 1.6).
For Vallejo, the closest match to Boltgun Metal is Neutral Grey (70.992) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 3.3).
No close Army Painter equivalent found for Boltgun Metal.
As a standard basecoat paint, this colour is formulated for opaque coverage over primer in one to two controlled passes. Neutral grey colours bridge the gap between black and white, used for stone, armour, and gradual highlights.
The closest Boltgun Metal equivalent is DARK ALUMINUM (AK Interactive) with Delta E 1.6. For Vallejo, the closest match to Boltgun Metal is Neutral Grey (70.992) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 3.3. No close Army Painter equivalent found for Boltgun Metal.
The closest Vallejo match is Neutral Grey (70.992) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 3.3.
No Army Painter equivalent within an acceptable colour distance was found for Boltgun Metal.
As a base paint with metallic pigments, Boltgun Metal reflects light differently than standard colours. The colour sits in the neutral grey range.
Metallic paints use metal flakes that vary by brand. Boltgun Metal has a specific particle size.
The primer choice affects how Boltgun Metal reads. Over black the metallic appears deeper and richer.
Boltgun Metal is a true metallic — the flakes do the work of simulating reflections.
Edge highlights on Boltgun Metal must contrast with the metallic base.
Metallic paints can tarnish over time. Boltgun Metal 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 base paint substitute reliable on an actual miniature.
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