AK Interactive Cold Steel (AK17070) from the Quick Gen Metallic Range is a cool, bluish steel shade created to give miniatures a convincing metallic finish in just one layer. This paint uses specialized metallic pigments that naturally flow into the recesses of a model, producing realistic shine and depth without the need for repeated coats. Many miniature painters and hobbyists choose Cold Steel for weapons, armor, machinery and futuristic details because it produces crisp, consistent results at high speed.
Cold Steel is part of the Metallic Range with high coverage. Its high pigment density ensures strong opacity, even over darker bases, making it ideal for fast tabletop workflows or bulk painting. The paint preserves fine details while delivering a clean metallic sheen, which is especially valuable for mechanical surfaces, blades and armored panels.
The medium viscosity makes Cold Steel suitable for both brush and airbrush. The Quick Gen metallic pigments level themselves smoothly across the surface, minimizing streaks and blends. Reviewers and hobby bloggers often highlight that this metallic line is favored by painters who want reliable, repeatable finishes when painting units or armies. Beginners benefit from the paint’s easy control, while experienced painters appreciate the blend of coverage and detail retention.
Cold Steel sits within a metallic palette that includes complementary tones such as Gold, Copper, Dark Steel, Old Gold and Bronze. It pairs well with Dark Steel for shading or with Gold tones for contrast. In widely shared color comparison charts, Cold Steel often aligns with steel or blue-silver metallics from various brands, making it simple to integrate into existing paint collections.
Technically, Cold Steel is a water-based acrylic that dries quickly and can be thinned with water or acrylic thinner. The pigments naturally settle into recesses, making it excellent for panel lines, grooves and sharply shaped components. This characteristic produces soft shadow transitions without additional shading steps, helping painters work more efficiently.
Cold Steel is ideal for a wide range of applications: fantasy and sci-fi weapons, armored surfaces, tanks and walkers, industrial machinery, steampunk engines, or diorama details requiring a modern steel finish. The cool undertone gives models a refined and sometimes futuristic appearance. It also serves well as a base layer for lighter metallic highlights.
The Metallic Range includes six coordinated colors:
Cold Steel is an excellent choice for painters who want reliable, bright and realistic metallic results quickly. Thanks to its high coverage, fine pigmentation and user-friendly performance, it empowers both beginners and advanced painters to create sharp steel effects with confidence. Let your creativity take over and bring your models to life with a striking cold-steel finish.
