Base Paint

Tin Bitz Equivalent

As a standard basecoat paint, this colour is formulated for opaque coverage over primer in one to two controlled passes. Orange hues add warmth and contrast to fabrics, flames, and faction-specific trim details..
The closest Tin Bitz equivalent is Rough Iron (Army Painter) (ΔE 6.0).
For the Tin Bitz equivalent Vallejo, Gunmetal Blue (70.800) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 10.2).
The best Tin Bitz Army Painter equivalent is Rough Iron (Army Painter) (ΔE 6.0).

Citadel (Games Workshop) base #473F39

Top 5 closest equivalents

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

1
Rough IronArmy Painter
ΔE 6.0moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
2
Death MetalArmy Painter
ΔE 8.9significant colour distance -- test before committing
3
Gun MetalArmy Painter
ΔE 9.1significant colour distance -- test before committing
4
Gunmetal Blue (70.800)Vallejo Model Color
ΔE 10.2significant colour distance -- test before committing
5
Black MetalScale75
ΔE 10.3significant colour distance -- test before committing

Best equivalents by brand

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Direct answer

Which equivalent should you pick for Tin Bitz?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Tin Bitz in the current local catalogue is Rough Iron from Army Painter (Delta-E 5.95).

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:

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Frequently asked questions

Tin Bitz 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 Gunmetal Blue (70.800) (Delta E 10.23).

Yes, Tin Bitz 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. Orange hues add warmth and contrast to fabrics, flames, and faction-specific trim details..
The closest Tin Bitz equivalent is Rough Iron (Army Painter) (ΔE 6.0).
For the Tin Bitz equivalent Vallejo, Gunmetal Blue (70.800) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 10.2).
The best Tin Bitz Army Painter equivalent is Rough Iron (Army Painter) (ΔE 6.0).

As a standard basecoat paint, this colour is formulated for opaque coverage over primer in one to two controlled passes. Orange hues add warmth and contrast to fabrics, flames, and faction-specific trim details.. Bronze très sombre presque brun. Base métal usé/ancien. Monte vers Hashut Copper ou Gehenna's Gold.

The closest Tin Bitz equivalent is Rough Iron (Army Painter) with Delta E 6.0. For a Tin Bitz equivalent Vallejo match, Gunmetal Blue (70.800) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 10.2 is the closest pick. The best Tin Bitz Army Painter equivalent is Rough Iron (Army Painter) with Delta E 6.0.

Tin Bitz Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Gunmetal Blue (70.800) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 10.2.

Tin Bitz Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Rough Iron (Army Painter) with Delta E 6.0.

Tin Bitz equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a base paint, Tin Bitz requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the warm orange range, with medium coverage and semi-transparent opacity over a black primer.

Coverage and opacity

Tin Bitz is designed to cover primer evenly in one or two passes. Coverage is rated medium, 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 warm orange mid-tone of Tin Bitz 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 warm orange 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 Tin Bitz are Hashut Copper (base colour), Agrax Earthshade (universal brown wash), Skullcrusher Brass (layer / highlight) and Nuln Oil (primary wash). These supporting colours define how the base reads once the recipe is complete.

Hashut Copper, Agrax Earthshade, Skullcrusher Brass and Nuln Oil 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 : Rough Iron (Army Painter) – ΔE 6.0
  • Closest Vallejo option : Gunmetal Blue (70.800) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 10.2
  • Closest Army Painter option : Rough Iron (Army Painter) – ΔE 6.0

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.