The Iron Within
The Unyielding Foundation for the Galaxy’s War Machines.
Leadbelcher is arguably the most hard-working pot in any hobbyist's collection. As a Base paint, it is the industry standard for creating a realistic, dark metallic sheen that mimics heavy iron and weathered steel. Whether you are painting the exposed chassis of a Knight Titan, the serrated edge of a chainsword, or the grimy pipes of an industrial hive world, Leadbelcher provides the solid, opaque coverage that every metallic project requires. It is the dependable, rugged core of the Citadel metallic range.
Why Leadbelcher is a Hobby Essential
Superior One-Coat Coverage: Unlike many metallic paints that can be thin or "glittery," Leadbelcher is packed with dense, high-quality pigments. It covers dark primers effortlessly, providing a smooth, solid metal finish in a single pass.
The Perfect "Used" Metal: It isn't a bright, showy silver; it is a functional, military-grade iron. This makes it the perfect mid-tone for everything from Bolters to bionic limbs, looking grounded and realistic rather than ornamental.
The Ultimate Foundation for Weathering: Because of its neutral dark-silver tone, it reacts beautifully to washes. A quick coat of Nuln Oil over Leadbelcher creates instant oily depth, while Agrax Earthshade adds a convincing layer of grime and rust.
Essential for "Drybrushing": Leadbelcher is the king of the drybrush technique. Dragging a semi-dry brush of this over black-primed terrain or armor instantly reveals every scratch and rivet with a cold, metallic glint.
How to Master Leadbelcher
Shake It Like You Mean It: Metallic pigments are heavier than standard ones and tend to settle at the bottom of the pot. Give it a vigorous shake for 30 seconds to ensure the "metal" is perfectly suspended in the medium.
Thin With Care: While you should thin most paints with water, be careful not to over-dilute Leadbelcher, as too much water can break the metallic surface tension. Use just a tiny drop to keep the flow smooth.
The "Black Primer" Secret: Leadbelcher looks its absolute best over a Chaos Black undercoat. The black base helps the dark silver look deep and heavy, whereas a white primer can make it look a bit thin.
Highlighting for Contrast: Once your Leadbelcher base is washed and dried, a sharp edge highlight of Stormhost Silver or Ironbreaker will make the edges look like freshly honed steel.
Technical Specifications
Pot Size: 12ml
Range: Citadel Base
Finish: Metallic Gunmetal / Dark Iron
Cleanup: Water-based (Easy cleanup with water)
The Verdict
Leadbelcher is the quintessential "utility" paint. It is reliable, covers beautifully, and provides the essential metallic grit that brings sci-fi and fantasy models to life. If your model has a blade, a bolt, or a gear, Leadbelcher is the paint you reach for first.