Sharkskin → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for PPG Sharkskin (PPG1036-5), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Sharkskin
If you love PPG Sharkskin but need a Valspar 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 Valspar, 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 Valspar 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 Valspar 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 good news: there is a strong Valspar match for Sharkskin. Barnwood Gray (VR082H) comes in with a Delta E of 2.3, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Barnwood Gray is the closest Valspar option. Very close match.
Valspar Matches for Sharkskin
Barnwood Gray is the closest Valspar option. Very close match.
| Sharkskin | Barnwood Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 18 | 20 |
| Hex | #898884 | #94908A |
| Undertone | Cool Dark Gray | Warm Barnwood |
| 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.
Barnwood Gray has warm barnwood undertones. A warm, dark gray with the weathered quality of old barn wood. Organic and aged. Deeper than Tempered Gray.
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 Barnwood Gray's warm barnwood 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.
Barnwood Gray in Your Room
Warm and weathered. In bright rooms, the warm brown-gray shows. In dim rooms, a warm dark neutral.
LRV and Brightness
Sharkskin has an LRV of 18, while Barnwood Gray has an LRV of 20. 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.
Barnwood Gray is recommended for: accent wall, exterior, cabinets, front door, office. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Barnwood Gray in the same rooms you planned for Sharkskin.
Sharkskin in Other Brands
Looking for Sharkskin equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Sharkskin (PPG1036-5) is Barnwood Gray (VR082H) with a Delta E of 2.3, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Barnwood Gray is the closest Valspar option. Very close match. 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. Barnwood Gray is a Valspar color with warm barnwood undertones and an LRV of 20. With a Delta E of 2.3, 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 2.3, these colors are close enough to use in separate rooms of the same house without a jarring difference. However, avoid painting them on adjacent walls in the same room, as even subtle differences become apparent at a hard edge where two paints meet. For the smoothest result, use one brand consistently within each connected space and reserve the other brand for rooms that are visually separated.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Valspar equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Valspar. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Valspar 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.