Iron Warriors
Base
Paint equivalent guide
Oily Steel (70.865) Vallejo Model Color metallic paint equivalents (#707078)
Oily Steel (70.865) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Oily Steel (70.865) equivalent is Iron Warriors (Citadel (Games Workshop)) (ΔE 6.3).
No close Vallejo equivalent found for Oily Steel (70.865).
For Army Painter, the closest match to Oily Steel (70.865) is Plate Mail Metal (Army Painter) (ΔE 3.2).
Vallejo Model Color
metallic
#707078
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Top 3 closest equivalents
These 3 substitutes are ranked by Delta-E accuracy. Each entry includes a behaviour comment.
1
Thrash MetalScale75
ΔE 6.0moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection2
True Metal IronAK Interactive
ΔE 7.8significant colour distance -- test before committing3
True Metal SteelAK Interactive
ΔE 8.5significant 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 Oily Steel (70.865)?
The closest cross-brand equivalent to Oily Steel (70.865) in the current local catalogue is Plate Mail Metal from Army Painter (Delta-E 3.21).
- Closest overall: Plate Mail Metal (Army Painter, Delta-E 3.21)
- Closest Vallejo: Tinny Tin (72.060) (Delta-E 10.83)
- Closest Army Painter: Plate Mail Metal (Delta-E 3.21)
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:
- Pigment size: metallic flakes settle — stir thoroughly before use
- Primer: the primer already used in your recipe — black primer gives a truer metallic sheen
- Thinning: controlled thinning — too much water dulls the metallic particles
- Coverage: reliable — metallics may need multiple thin coats
- Varnish: matte varnish kills metallic reflections — use satin or gloss
Need the paint card for Oily Steel (70.865)?
Usage, recipes, primer guidance, and painting context live on the dedicated paint page
Frequently asked questions
Oily Steel (70.865) 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, Oily Steel (70.865) 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.
Oily Steel (70.865) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Oily Steel (70.865) equivalent is Iron Warriors (Citadel (Games Workshop)) (ΔE 6.3).
No close Vallejo equivalent found for Oily Steel (70.865).
For Army Painter, the closest match to Oily Steel (70.865) is Plate Mail Metal (Army Painter) (ΔE 3.2).
Oily Steel (70.865) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Oily Steel (70.865) equivalent is Iron Warriors (Citadel (Games Workshop)) with Delta E 6.3. No close Vallejo equivalent found for Oily Steel (70.865). For Army Painter, the closest match to Oily Steel (70.865) is Plate Mail Metal (Army Painter) with Delta E 3.2.
Oily Steel (70.865) Vallejo equivalent
No Vallejo equivalent within an acceptable colour distance was found for Oily Steel (70.865).
Oily Steel (70.865) Army Painter equivalent
The best Army Painter option is Plate Mail Metal (Army Painter) with Delta E 3.2.
Oily Steel (70.865) equivalent and alternative: brand comparison
As a paint, Oily Steel (70.865) requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the neutral grey range.
Brand comparison
- Closest equivalent : Iron Warriors (Citadel (Games Workshop)) – ΔE 6.3
- Closest Vallejo option : no close Vallejo equivalent
- Closest Army Painter option : Plate Mail Metal (Army Painter) – ΔE 3.2
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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