Paint equivalent guide

Matt Varnish (70.520) Vallejo Model Color varnish paint equivalents (#FFFFFF)

Matt Varnish (70.520) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Matt Varnish (70.520) equivalent is Flat Varnish (AK Interactive) (ΔE 3.0).
No close Vallejo equivalent found for Matt Varnish (70.520).
For Army Painter, the closest match to Matt Varnish (70.520) is Matt Varnish (Army Painter) (ΔE 5.2).

Vallejo Model Color varnish #FFFFFF
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Top 4 closest equivalents

These 4 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.

1
Munitorum Varnish SprayCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 1.0slight colour difference, well within acceptable range
2
Flat VarnishAK Interactive
ΔE 3.0moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
3
Matt VarnishArmy Painter
ΔE 5.2moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
4
Satin VarnishAK Interactive
ΔE 9.9significant colour distance -- test before committing

Best equivalents by brand

Ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000 · All brands · Interactive

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Direct answer

Which equivalent should you pick for Matt Varnish (70.520)?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Matt Varnish (70.520) in the current local catalogue is Gloss Varnish from AK Interactive (Delta-E 0.0).

  • Closest overall: Gloss Varnish (AK Interactive, Delta-E 0.0)
  • Closest Army Painter: Matt Varnish (Delta-E 5.25)

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.

View the paint card for Matt Varnish (70.520) Read the conversion method guide Browse all equivalent pages Browse army paint lists

What to check before replacing this base

Before adopting a substitute, check these points specific to this base paint:

  • Coverage: reliable — check how many coats are needed for full opacity
  • Thinning: controlled thinning — verify the right ratio for your technique
  • Recommended primer: the primer already used in your recipe — keep the same surface preparation
  • Test swatch: always test the substitute on a spare part first
  • Recipe check: compare with the full wash and highlight sequence
Need the paint card for Matt Varnish (70.520)?
Usage, recipes, primer guidance, and painting context live on the dedicated paint page
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Frequently asked questions

Matt Varnish (70.520) is a paint from Vallejo Model Color. 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.

No reliable Vallejo match appears in the current top equivalents.

Yes, Matt Varnish (70.520) is currently part of the Vallejo Model Color 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.

Matt Varnish (70.520) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Matt Varnish (70.520) equivalent is Flat Varnish (AK Interactive) (ΔE 3.0).
No close Vallejo equivalent found for Matt Varnish (70.520).
For Army Painter, the closest match to Matt Varnish (70.520) is Matt Varnish (Army Painter) (ΔE 5.2).

Matt Varnish (70.520) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.

The closest Matt Varnish (70.520) equivalent is Flat Varnish (AK Interactive) with Delta E 3.0. No close Vallejo equivalent found for Matt Varnish (70.520). For Army Painter, the closest match to Matt Varnish (70.520) is Matt Varnish (Army Painter) with Delta E 5.2.

Matt Varnish (70.520) Vallejo equivalent

No Vallejo equivalent within an acceptable colour distance was found for Matt Varnish (70.520).

Matt Varnish (70.520) Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Matt Varnish (Army Painter) with Delta E 5.2.

Matt Varnish (70.520) equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a paint, Matt Varnish (70.520) requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the neutral grey range.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : Flat Varnish (AK Interactive) – ΔE 3.0
  • Closest Vallejo option : no close Vallejo equivalent
  • Closest Army Painter option : Matt Varnish (Army Painter) – ΔE 5.2

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.

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