Paint equivalent guide

Satin Varnish (70.522) Vallejo Model Color varnish paint equivalents (#FFFFFF)

Satin Varnish (70.522) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Satin Varnish (70.522) equivalent is Satin Varnish (AK Interactive) (ΔE 9.9).
No close Vallejo equivalent found for Satin Varnish (70.522).
For Army Painter, the closest match to Satin Varnish (70.522) is Matt Varnish (Army Painter) (ΔE 5.2).

Vallejo Model Color varnish #FFFFFF
Free No mandatory account No intrusive advertising

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

Buy it now · Satin Varnish (70.522)
Compare stock and prices · Satin Varnish (70.522)
Direct answer

Which equivalent should you pick for Satin Varnish (70.522)?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Satin Varnish (70.522) in the current local catalogue is Gloss Varnish from AK Interactive (Delta-E 0.0).

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:

Need the paint card for Satin Varnish (70.522)?
Usage, recipes, primer guidance, and painting context live on the dedicated paint page
View paint card →

Frequently asked questions

Satin Varnish (70.522) 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, Satin Varnish (70.522) 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.

Satin Varnish (70.522) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Satin Varnish (70.522) equivalent is Satin Varnish (AK Interactive) (ΔE 9.9).
No close Vallejo equivalent found for Satin Varnish (70.522).
For Army Painter, the closest match to Satin Varnish (70.522) is Matt Varnish (Army Painter) (ΔE 5.2).

Satin Varnish (70.522) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.

The closest Satin Varnish (70.522) equivalent is Satin Varnish (AK Interactive) with Delta E 9.9. No close Vallejo equivalent found for Satin Varnish (70.522). For Army Painter, the closest match to Satin Varnish (70.522) is Matt Varnish (Army Painter) with Delta E 5.2.

Satin Varnish (70.522) Vallejo equivalent

No Vallejo equivalent within an acceptable colour distance was found for Satin Varnish (70.522).

Satin Varnish (70.522) Army Painter equivalent

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

Satin Varnish (70.522) equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a paint, Satin Varnish (70.522) requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the neutral grey range.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : Satin Varnish (AK Interactive) – ΔE 9.9
  • 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.

Go further with ChromaStack

Manage your collection, browse guides and find more equivalents