Sharkskin → Benjamin Moore
The closest Benjamin Moore matches for PPG Sharkskin (PPG1036-5), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Benjamin Moore Equivalent for Sharkskin
If you love PPG Sharkskin but need a Benjamin Moore alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers Benjamin Moore, your local store does not carry PPG, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Sharkskin (PPG1036-5) is a dark gray with cool dark gray undertones. A cool, dark neutral gray with the tough, textured quality of sharkskin. PPG's most popular cool dark gray for accent and exterior applications. To find a good Benjamin Moore match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 18) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Sharkskin and every Benjamin Moore color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.
The results are decent but not perfect. The closest Benjamin Moore option is Deep Silver (2124-30) with a Delta E of 4, which is a "good match" level match. Deep Silver is greener. Sharkskin is more neutral. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Benjamin Moore Matches for Sharkskin
Deep Silver is greener. Sharkskin is more neutral.
| Sharkskin | Deep Silver | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 18 | 16.44 |
| Hex | #898884 | #7F8178 |
| Undertone | Cool Dark Gray | Cool Dark Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Sharkskin has cool dark gray undertones. A cool, dark neutral gray with the tough, textured quality of sharkskin. PPG's most popular cool dark gray for accent and exterior applications.
Deep Silver has cool dark gray undertones. A cool, dark gray with subtle green undertones. Deeper than Fieldstone, lighter than Raccoon Fur. Solid and reliable.
The undertone difference is worth paying attention to. While they are close in overall appearance, the different undertones mean they may diverge in certain lighting. Sharkskin's cool dark gray quality may read differently than Deep Silver's cool dark gray character, especially in rooms with strong directional light or colored accents that could pull out one undertone more than the other. Test a sample in your specific room before committing.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Sharkskin in Your Room
Cool and clean at a dark depth. In bright rooms, a definite cool gray. In dim rooms, a sophisticated dark neutral.
Deep Silver in Your Room
The green is subtle. Reads as a cool dark gray in most conditions. The green prevents it from feeling sterile.
LRV and Brightness
Sharkskin has an LRV of 18, while Deep Silver has an LRV of 16.44. These two colors reflect a very similar amount of light, so you should not notice a significant difference in room brightness when switching between them. The room will feel approximately the same in terms of light and space, which makes this a smoother transition.
Best Rooms for Sharkskin
PPG recommends Sharkskin for: accent wall, exterior, cabinets, front door, office. With an LRV of 18, this is a dark color that absorbs more light than it reflects. It makes a bold statement and works beautifully on accent walls, front doors, exterior trim, and features where drama is the goal. In a full room, make sure you have good lighting and bright white trim for contrast.
Deep Silver is recommended for: accent wall, exterior, cabinets, office, bathroom vanity. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Deep Silver in the same rooms you planned for Sharkskin.
Sharkskin in Other Brands
Looking for Sharkskin equivalents in other brands besides Benjamin Moore? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Benjamin Moore match for Sharkskin (PPG1036-5) is Deep Silver (2124-30) with a Delta E of 4, which rates as a "good match" match. Deep Silver is greener. Sharkskin is more neutral. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.
No, they are not identical. Sharkskin is a PPG color with cool dark gray undertones and an LRV of 18. Deep Silver is a Benjamin Moore color with cool dark gray undertones and an LRV of 16.44. With a Delta E of 4, the difference is subtle and mainly visible in direct side-by-side comparison. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.
With a Delta E of 4, the difference is enough that they should not be used on adjacent walls in the same room. You can use them in separate rooms of the same house, but be aware that walking from one room to the other may reveal the difference, especially if the rooms have similar lighting. For the most consistent look, pick one brand for all connected living spaces and reserve the other brand for visually separate rooms like bathrooms or bedrooms behind closed doors.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Benjamin Moore equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Benjamin Moore. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Benjamin Moore work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.