Paint equivalent guide

Sky Grey (70.989) Equivalent

Sky Grey (70.989) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Sky Grey (70.989) equivalent is Light Ghost Grey (AK Interactive) (ΔE 1.9).
For the Sky Grey (70.989) equivalent Vallejo, Pastel Blue (70.901) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 3.5).
The best Sky Grey (70.989) Army Painter equivalent is Ash Grey (Army Painter) (ΔE 7.5).

Vallejo Model Color acrylic #8A9FA8

Top 4 closest equivalents

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

1
Light Ghost GreyAK Interactive
ΔE 1.9slight colour difference, well within acceptable range
2
Silbergrau – Silver GreyAK Interactive
ΔE 2.5slight colour difference, well within acceptable range
3
Astronomicon GreyCitadel (Games Workshop)
ΔE 4.5moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection
4
Dark Ghost GreyAK Interactive
ΔE 4.8moderate colour difference, noticeable on close inspection

Best equivalents by brand

Ranked by Delta-E CIEDE2000 · All brands · Interactive
Computing Delta-E…
Buy it now · Sky Grey (70.989)
Compare stock and prices · Sky Grey (70.989)
Direct answer

Which equivalent should you pick for Sky Grey (70.989)?

The closest cross-brand equivalent to Sky Grey (70.989) in the current local catalogue is Light Ghost Grey from AK Interactive (Delta-E 1.85).

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 Sky Grey (70.989)?
Usage, recipes, primer guidance, and painting context live on the dedicated paint page
View paint card →

Frequently asked questions

Sky Grey (70.989) 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.

The closest Vallejo option is Pastel Blue (70.901) (Delta E 3.49).

Yes, Sky Grey (70.989) 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.

Sky Grey (70.989) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.
The closest Sky Grey (70.989) equivalent is Light Ghost Grey (AK Interactive) (ΔE 1.9).
For the Sky Grey (70.989) equivalent Vallejo, Pastel Blue (70.901) (Vallejo Model Color) (ΔE 3.5).
The best Sky Grey (70.989) Army Painter equivalent is Ash Grey (Army Painter) (ΔE 7.5).

Sky Grey (70.989) is a key paint in the Citadel range, valued for its consistent finish and reliable coverage across Warhammer projects.

The closest Sky Grey (70.989) equivalent is Light Ghost Grey (AK Interactive) with Delta E 1.9. For a Sky Grey (70.989) equivalent Vallejo match, Pastel Blue (70.901) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 3.5 is the closest pick. The best Sky Grey (70.989) Army Painter equivalent is Ash Grey (Army Painter) with Delta E 7.5.

Sky Grey (70.989) Vallejo equivalent

The closest Vallejo match is Pastel Blue (70.901) (Vallejo Model Color) with Delta E 3.5.

Sky Grey (70.989) Army Painter equivalent

The best Army Painter option is Ash Grey (Army Painter) with Delta E 7.5.

Sky Grey (70.989) equivalent and alternative: brand comparison

As a paint, Sky Grey (70.989) requires specific handling that affects how any substitute performs. The colour sits in the teal range.

Brand comparison

  • Closest equivalent : Light Ghost Grey (AK Interactive) – ΔE 1.9
  • Closest Vallejo option : Pastel Blue (70.901) (Vallejo Model Color) – ΔE 3.5
  • Closest Army Painter option : Ash Grey (Army Painter) – ΔE 7.5

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.