The stored digital swatch for Cold Steel is a dark muted metallic silver with a cool undertone. For a possible shade and highlight, compare Pig Iron and Spectral Steel, both P3 Paints paints selected from the digital catalog. The leading same-type candidate, Vallejo Steel Grey, scores 84 percent digital color similarity, below our close-color tier. The score describes approximate digital colors, so assess any candidate on a test piece.
Cold Steel equivalents in other ranges
Review paint type as well as the color score for Cold Steel. These are approximate digital references, and a matching medium or sheen is not established by the group label.
Closest Vallejo equivalent: Vallejo Steel Grey, some difference between the stored swatches (delta E 3.1).
From Citadel: Citadel Grey Knights Steel, similar digital colors (delta E 3.3).
Humbrol's closest color: Humbrol 27004 Metalcote Gunmetal, a larger difference between the stored swatches (delta E 6.2).
Nearest in the Tamiya catalog: Tamiya X-10 Gun Metal, a broader digital color reference (delta E 6.4).
Our digital comparison places Vallejo Steel Grey slightly lighter than the original swatch. Use that as a clue for selecting test paints, not a prediction of dried-paint appearance.
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.
Vallejo
Citadel
Humbrol
27004 Metalcote Gunmetal
53 Gunmetal
5 Dark Admiralty Grey
164 Dark Sea Grey
156 Satin Dark Grey
124 Petrol Blue
184 Freight Stock Grey
123 Dark Sea Grey
Tamiya
Two Thin Coats
The Army Painter
AK Interactive
French Greyish Blue
Amt-11 Blue-Grey
Raf Extra Dark Sea Grey Bs381C/640
Basalt Grey
Ocean Gray (Fs 35164)
Neutral Grey
Frost Effect
Grey-Blue
Ija #3 Hairanshoku (Grey Indigo)
Raf Ocean Grey
Wwi French Artillery Grey
Sla Blue
Revell
378 Dark Grey Satin
77 Dust Grey (RAL 7012)
74 Gunship Grey USAF/Geschützgrau USAF
71 Dark Grey (RAL 7011)
378 Dark grey/Dunkelgrau (RAL 7012)
77 Dust Grey/Staubgrau (RAL 7012)
Scale75
Monument Pro Acryl
Green Stuff World
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 P3 Paints Cold Steel?
The leading match in the same broad paint-type group is Vallejo Steel Grey at 84% digital color similarity. Check sheen, medium and coverage before substituting.
What finish is Cold Steel?
The catalog classifies Cold 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 Cold Steel with?
The digital catalog suggests testing Spectral Steel for a lighter step and Pig Iron for a darker step, both from P3 Paints. These are computed color suggestions, not tested layering recipes.