Oily Steel (70.865)
Model Color
Base Paint
Iron Warriors base equivalents in Army Painter and Vallejo Model Color (#706E6B)
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 Iron Warriors equivalent is Oily Steel (70.865) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 6.3).
For Vallejo, the closest match to Iron Warriors is Oily Steel (70.865) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 6.3).
For Army Painter, the closest match to Iron Warriors is Plate Mail Metal (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.3).
Citadel (Games Workshop)
base
#706E6B
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Top 5 closest equivalents
These 5 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.
1
Plate Mail MetalArmy Painter
ΔE 4.3moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection2
Oily Steel (70.865)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 6.3significant colour distance -- test before committing3
Gunmetal Grey (70.863)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 7.6significant colour distance -- test before committing4
Thrash MetalScale75
ΔE 8.6significant colour distance -- test before committing5
SC-87 Decayed MetalScale75
ΔE 9.2significant colour distance -- test before committingBest equivalents by brand
Ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000 · All brands · Interactive
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Direct answer
Which equivalent should you pick for Iron Warriors?
The closest cross-brand equivalent to Iron Warriors in the current local catalogue is Plate Mail Metal from Army Painter (Delta-E 4.33).
- Closest overall: Plate Mail Metal (Army Painter, Delta-E 4.33)
- Closest Vallejo: Oily Steel (70.865) (Delta-E 6.33)
- Closest Army Painter: Plate Mail Metal (Delta-E 4.33)
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:
- Coverage: good — check how many coats are needed over your primer
- Thinning: very light thinning — verify the right ratio for your technique
- Opacity: semi-transparent — affects how the base colour reads through the finish
- Recommended primer: a black primer — keep the same surface preparation
- Layer transitions: as a base, check how smoothly it builds from the base coat
Armies using Iron Warriors
Need the paint card for Iron Warriors?
Usage, recipes, primer guidance, and painting context live on the dedicated paint page
Frequently asked questions
Iron Warriors 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 Oily Steel (70.865) (Delta E 6.33).
Yes, Iron Warriors 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 Iron Warriors equivalent is Oily Steel (70.865) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 6.3).
For Vallejo, the closest match to Iron Warriors is Oily Steel (70.865) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 6.3).
For Army Painter, the closest match to Iron Warriors is Plate Mail Metal (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.3).
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 Iron Warriors equivalent is Oily Steel (70.865) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 6.3. For Vallejo, the closest match to Iron Warriors is Oily Steel (70.865) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 6.3. For Army Painter, the closest match to Iron Warriors is Plate Mail Metal (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.3.
Iron Warriors Vallejo equivalent
The closest Vallejo match is Oily Steel (70.865) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 6.3.
Iron Warriors Army Painter equivalent
The best Army Painter option is Plate Mail Metal (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.3.
Iron Warriors equivalent and alternative: brand comparison
As a base paint, Iron Warriors requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the neutral grey range, with good coverage and semi-transparent opacity over a black primer.
Coverage and opacity
Iron Warriors is designed to cover primer evenly in one or two passes. Coverage is rated good, so a substitute that falls below this threshold will require extra coats to block the undercolour. Test the replacement over the same primer — a base that shifts tone with each coat can alter the entire highlight stack.
Primer and application
This base paint performs best over a black primer. A substitute that behaves well over a light primer may struggle over black or grey, especially if its opacity is lower. Apply two thin coats, letting each dry fully before the next.
Layer compatibility
The neutral grey mid-tone of Iron Warriors anchors the layers above it. A replacement that dries glossier or rougher will change how shade and layer paints adhere.
Saturation and colour drift
Base paints carry more pigment than other types, so even a neutral grey substitute with a close Delta-E can read warmer or cooler once shaded. Run a complete test: prime, base, shade, and highlight before committing.
Companion palette
The most useful partners for Iron Warriors are Nuln Oil (primary wash), Runefang Steel (metal highlight), Leadbelcher (base metal) and Agrax Earthshade (universal brown wash). These supporting colours define how the base reads once the recipe is complete.
Nuln Oil, Runefang Steel, Leadbelcher and Agrax Earthshade are common companions to this base. They were chosen in the original recipe because their coverage, drying speed, and finish layer in the same workflow without forcing extra corrections.
Brand comparison
- Closest equivalent : Oily Steel (70.865) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 6.3
- Closest Vallejo option : Oily Steel (70.865) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 6.3
- Closest Army Painter option : Plate Mail Metal (Army Painter) – ΔE 4.3
A base 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 base paint substitute reliable on an actual miniature.
That combination of colour distance, finish, and recipe context is what makes a substitute reliable on an actual miniature.
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 too, because a near match can still push the finished model warmer, colder, flatter, or glossier than expected.
That is why the page keeps the recommendation anchored to painting workflow instead of treating Delta-E alone as the final decision.
A useful equivalent page should also reduce buying mistakes: the closer colour is not always the safer option if the bottle dries glossier, covers faster, or behaves differently on large armour panels.
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