Lahmian Medium
Technical
Search paints, armies, and guides at the same time.
Metal Medium (70.521) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Metal Medium (70.521) equivalent is Lahmian Medium (Citadel (Games Workshop)) (ΔE 1.2).
No close Vallejo equivalent found for Metal Medium (70.521).
For Army Painter, the closest match to Metal Medium (70.521) is Warpaints Stabilizer (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.8).
These 4 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.
Ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000 · All brands · Interactive
The closest cross-brand equivalent to Metal Medium (70.521) in the current local catalogue is Lahmian Medium from Citadel (Games Workshop) (Delta-E 1.2).
Matches are computed from the local paint catalogue with Delta-E CIEDE2000. Lower values mean a closer visual match on the miniature.
Finish, opacity, flow, and bottle format are not captured by Delta-E alone. Test the substitute if the recipe relies on a specific behaviour.
Before adopting a substitute, check these points specific to this metallic paint:
Metal Medium (70.521) 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, Metal Medium (70.521) 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.
Metal Medium (70.521) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Metal Medium (70.521) equivalent is Lahmian Medium (Citadel (Games Workshop)) (ΔE 1.2).
No close Vallejo equivalent found for Metal Medium (70.521).
For Army Painter, the closest match to Metal Medium (70.521) is Warpaints Stabilizer (Army Painter) (ΔE 4.8).
Metal Medium (70.521) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Metal Medium (70.521) equivalent is Lahmian Medium (Citadel (Games Workshop)) with Delta E 1.2. No close Vallejo equivalent found for Metal Medium (70.521). For Army Painter, the closest match to Metal Medium (70.521) is Warpaints Stabilizer (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.8.
No Vallejo equivalent within an acceptable colour distance was found for Metal Medium (70.521).
The best Army Painter option is Warpaints Stabilizer (Army Painter) with Delta E 4.8.
As a paint with metallic pigments, Metal Medium (70.521) reflects light differently than standard colours. The colour sits in the neutral grey range.
Metallic paints use metal flakes that vary by brand. Metal Medium (70.521) has a specific particle size.
The primer choice affects how Metal Medium (70.521) reads. Over black the metallic appears deeper and richer.
Metal Medium (70.521) is a true metallic — the flakes do the work of simulating reflections.
Edge highlights on Metal Medium (70.521) must contrast with the metallic base.
Metallic paints can tarnish over time. Metal Medium (70.521) may need a varnish seal.
A metallic paint substitute only becomes trustworthy once it survives the same primer, wash, and varnish 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.
Manage your collection, browse guides and find more equivalents