Why is gold more than just its average colour?
A believable gold needs to keep its shine and metallic grain. Average colour alone tells you nothing about light response.
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The strongest indexed match for Retributor Armour is Polished Gold (72.055) from Vallejo Game Color, with Delta-E 7.27. It is the same broad paint type and relies on non-approximate colour data. A believable gold also needs to keep its shine and metallic grain on the real model.
A believable gold needs to keep its shine and metallic grain. Average colour alone tells you nothing about light response.
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| Paint | Brand | Range | Preview | HEX | Delta-E | Type | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polished Gold (72.055) | Vallejo Game Color | Game Color | #D4AF37 |
Delta-E 7.27
|
Metallic
|
View paint View Polished Gold (72.055) on Amazon | |
| El Dorado | Green Stuff World | Metallic | #FFC125 |
Delta-E 7.40
|
Metallic
|
View paint View El Dorado on Amazon | |
| Antique Gold | Green Stuff World | Metallic | #C9A227 |
Delta-E 9.95
|
Metallic
|
View paint View Antique Gold on Amazon | |
| True Metal Gold | AK Interactive | True Metal | #C49E2C |
Delta-E 10.71
|
Metallic
|
View paint View True Metal Gold on Amazon | |
| Speedmetal Gold | Green Stuff World | Speedmetal | #C89828 |
Delta-E 11.43
|
Metallic
|
View paint View Speedmetal Gold on Amazon |
Polished Gold (72.055) is a practical starting point here, with Delta-E 7.27. It is the same broad paint type and relies on non-approximate colour data.
True Metal Gold stays within the same broad paint type, with Delta-E 10.71.
Compare shine, metallic grain and post-wash readability before approving the swap.
The strongest indexed result is Polished Gold (72.055), with Delta-E 7.27. Use that number to rank options, not to assume a guaranteed one-for-one replacement.
Gold metallics need more than a close hue: shine, flake size and how the surface catches light all change the final read.
Retributor Armour is used for gold metallics, noble trim, prestige armour and any area that needs to catch light strongly.
A replacement therefore has to remain truly metallic, not just gold-looking on average.
ChromaStack compares paints with the CIEDE2000 formula: the lower the Delta-E, the closer the average colour match.
That score helps rank alternatives, but it does not replace a real miniature test or checks on primer, finish and thinning.
Read the conversion guidePolished Gold (72.055) is the closest indexed Vallejo option, with Delta-E 7.27.
Because metallic shine, flake size and how a wash settles change the final read even when the average colour is close.
No. A yellow can approximate the hue, but it cannot replace metallic reflection or the way the paint catches light.
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