Paint equivalent guide

Speedmetal Iron Equivalent

Speedmetal Iron is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Speedmetal Iron equivalent is True Metal Iron (AK Interactive) (ΔE 3.0).
For the Speedmetal Iron equivalent Vallejo, Gunmetal Grey (70.863) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 5.8).
The best Speedmetal Iron Army Painter equivalent is Gun Metal (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.2).

Green Stuff World speedmetal #505860

Top 5 closest equivalents

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

1
True Metal IronAK Interactive
ΔE 3.0slight colour difference, well within acceptable range
2
Gun MetalArmy Painter
ΔE 4.2moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
3
Gunmetal (3rd Gen)AK Interactive
ΔE 4.5moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
4
Thrash MetalScale75
ΔE 5.2moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
5
Gunmetal Grey (70.863)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 5.8moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection

Best equivalents by brand

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

Which equivalent should you pick for Speedmetal Iron?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Speedmetal Iron in the current local catalogue is True Metal Iron from AK Interactive (Delta-E 2.96).

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:

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

Frequently asked questions

Speedmetal Iron is a paint from Green Stuff World. 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 Gunmetal Grey (70.863) (Delta E 5.84).

Yes, Speedmetal Iron is currently part of the Green Stuff World 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.

Speedmetal Iron is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Speedmetal Iron equivalent is True Metal Iron (AK Interactive) (ΔE 3.0).
For the Speedmetal Iron equivalent Vallejo, Gunmetal Grey (70.863) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 5.8).
The best Speedmetal Iron Army Painter equivalent is Gun Metal (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.2).

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

The closest Speedmetal Iron equivalent is True Metal Iron (AK Interactive) with Delta E 3.0. For a Speedmetal Iron equivalent Vallejo match, Gunmetal Grey (70.863) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 5.8 is the closest pick. The best Speedmetal Iron Army Painter equivalent is Gun Metal (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.2.

Speedmetal Iron Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Gunmetal Grey (70.863) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 5.8.

Speedmetal Iron Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Gun Metal (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.2.

Speedmetal Iron equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a paint, Speedmetal Iron requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the deep blue range.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : True Metal Iron (AK Interactive) – ΔE 3.0
  • Closest Vallejo option : Gunmetal Grey (70.863) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 5.8
  • Closest Army Painter option : Gun Metal (Army Painter) – ΔE 4.2

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.