In the pot, Dark Iron reads as a neutral metallic silver, dark and muted. This is a common color; 4 other brands cover it, the nearest being Citadel Ironbreaker at 98 percent. For highlights, the next step up in the Tamiya range is Gun Metal. Bottom line: run out mid-project and another brand will get you within a shade.
Dark Iron equivalents across other brands
The short answer: yes, Dark Iron has a true equivalent. If the pot runs dry mid project, here is the closest color each brand offers.
Closest Citadel equivalent: Citadel Ironbreaker, indistinguishable once dry (delta E 0.3).
- Best Monument Pro Acryl option: Monument Pro Acryl Steel, close, with a hint of drift side by side (delta E 2.9).
- From Two Thin Coats: Two Thin Coats Sir Coates Silver, a near match with visible drift up close (delta E 3.3).
- The Army Painter's closest color: The Army Painter Rough Iron, a usable stand-in rather than a twin (delta E 4.0).
- Nearest in the Vallejo catalog: Vallejo Oily Steel, workable at tabletop distance, not up close (delta E 4.9).
- Best Humbrol option: Humbrol Matt Iron Grey, a usable stand-in rather than a twin (delta E 5.3).
We checked the Lab numbers for a hidden catch and there is none: lightness and temperature both line up, so this swap is as safe as they come.
How to read the score
90+Close
80sUsable
<70Mix
Citadel
Monument Pro Acryl
Two Thin Coats
The Army Painter
Vallejo
Humbrol
P3 Paints
AK Interactive
Scale75
Green Stuff World
Revell
About this color
Color profile
Highlight and shade ladder
Match difficulty
Found in 4 other brands with a same-finish match.
Where painters use it
Frequently asked
What is the closest equivalent to Tamiya Dark Iron?
The closest same-finish match is Citadel Ironbreaker at 98% color similarity.
What finish is Dark Iron?
Dark Iron is a metallic paint with a silver tone and a reflective finish. Because the shine comes from metal flake, a flat paint can match the color and still be wrong for the job, which is why cross-finish matches here are references rather than swaps.
What do I highlight and shade Dark Iron with?
The next step up for highlighting Dark Iron is Gun Metal in the Tamiya range. Nothing sits directly below it in the same lane, so reach for a wash to shade.