Iron Hands Steel's approximate swatch sits in the metallic silver family: dark in tone, muted in saturation, neutral in cast. The catalog suggests Sycorax Bronze as a darker color and Grey Knights Steel as a lighter color to test, both from Citadel. The leading result in the same broad paint-type group is Tamiya Dark Iron, scoring 89 percent digital color similarity. A high digital score does not certify a physical match; compare it with the original after drying.
Iron Hands Steel equivalents in other ranges
1 of the 11 brands with a listed match have a candidate in the same broad paint-type group scoring at least 88% digital color similarity to Citadel Iron Hands Steel.
- Closest Tamiya equivalent: Tamiya XF-84 Dark Iron, some difference between the stored swatches (delta E 2.2).
- Best Two Thin Coats option: Two Thin Coats Sir Coates Silver, similar digital colors (delta E 3.5).
- From Monument Pro Acryl: Monument Pro Acryl Steel, a larger difference between the stored swatches (delta E 4.2).
- The P3 Paints pick: P3 Paints Pig Iron, a broader digital color reference (delta E 5.0).
- Nearest in the The Army Painter catalog: The Army Painter Gun Metal, a larger difference between the stored swatches (delta E 5.1).
- Best Vallejo option: Vallejo Oily Steel, a broader digital color reference (delta E 5.6).
The stored colors differ by delta E 2.2 without a dominant lightness, warmth or saturation shift under our display rules. This describes the digital values, not the appearance of dried paint.
How to read the score
96–100Very close color
88–95Close color
78–87Similar color
0–77Loose color match
Scores compare approximate digital swatches. Test the paint before substituting.
Tamiya
Two Thin Coats
Monument Pro Acryl
P3 Paints
The Army Painter
Vallejo
Humbrol
AK Interactive
Green Stuff World
Revell
Scale75
About this color
Color profile
Highlight and shade ladder
Match difficulty
Found in 2 other brands with a similar digital color in the same catalog paint-type group.
Possible uses for this color
Frequently asked
What is the closest equivalent to Citadel Iron Hands Steel?
The leading match in the same broad paint-type group is Tamiya Dark Iron at 89% digital color similarity. Check sheen, medium and coverage before substituting.
Is there a The Army Painter equivalent of Iron Hands Steel?
A The Army Painter candidate to check is Gun Metal at 75% digital color similarity in the same broad paint-type group. A physical test is still needed.
What finish is Iron Hands Steel?
The catalog classifies Iron Hands Steel as metallic, with its digital swatch in the silver family. A flat digital color cannot represent metallic reflection or flake appearance. Check the actual product before substituting another metallic or a standard paint.
What do I highlight and shade Iron Hands Steel with?
The digital catalog suggests testing Grey Knights Steel for a lighter step and Sycorax Bronze for a darker step, both from Citadel. These are computed color suggestions, not tested layering recipes.