Dusty Aqua Alt (PPG1035-5)
A cool, dark neutral gray named for the famous Pittsburgh defensive line. Tough, solid, and reliable. One of PPG's most balanced dark grays.
About PPG Dusty Aqua Alt
Dusty Aqua Alt (PPG1035-5) is a gray from PPG's collection with an LRV of 22 and cool dark neutral undertones. A cool, dark neutral gray named for the famous Pittsburgh defensive line. Tough, solid, and reliable. One of PPG's most balanced dark grays.
Dusty Aqua Alt is a deeper color with an LRV of 22, meaning it absorbs more light than it reflects. This gives it real drama and sophistication. It works well on accent walls, exterior siding, front doors, cabinets, and architectural features where you want a bold statement. In a full room application, make sure you have adequate lighting and use bright white trim to prevent the space from feeling too dark.
Light Reflectance Value (LRV)
Dusty Aqua Alt has an LRV of 22, placing it in the medium-dark range on the 0-to-100 scale. LRV measures the percentage of visible light a color reflects. A pure black has an LRV of 0 and a pure white has an LRV of 100. Understanding a color's LRV helps you predict how it will feel in your space: higher LRV means brighter and more spacious, lower LRV means cozier and more intimate.
Undertone Analysis
Dusty Aqua Alt has cool dark neutral undertones. Undertones are the subtle background colors that become visible in different lighting conditions. Even colors that look "neutral" in the store will reveal their undertones once they are on your walls and interacting with natural light, artificial light, and the colors around them.
A cool, dark neutral gray named for the famous Pittsburgh defensive line. Tough, solid, and reliable. One of PPG's most balanced dark grays. Cool undertones like these pair naturally with other cool elements: gray-toned wood, chrome and silver hardware, white marble, and cool-toned textiles. They can feel disconnected from strongly warm elements like honey oak or brass, so consider your existing finishes before committing.
Lighting Behavior
Neutral and solid. In bright rooms, a clean dark gray. In dim rooms, approaches a sophisticated medium-dark charcoal. Does not pull warm or cool.
Every paint color looks different depending on the light source in your room. South-facing rooms get warm, direct sunlight that brings out yellow and warm undertones. North-facing rooms get cool, indirect light that emphasizes blue and gray undertones. East-facing rooms are bright and warm in the morning, cooler in the afternoon. West-facing rooms are the opposite: cool morning, warm afternoon. Incandescent and warm LED bulbs push colors warmer, while cool-white LEDs and fluorescent tubes push colors cooler. To avoid surprises, always test Dusty Aqua Alt with a physical sample on your actual wall, and observe it at different times of day before committing.
Best Rooms for Dusty Aqua Alt
PPG recommends Dusty Aqua Alt for: accent wall, exterior, office, cabinets, bathroom vanity.
On kitchen and bathroom cabinets, Dusty Aqua Alt offers a fresh, clean look. Cabinet colors are seen up close and under task lighting, so the undertones matter even more than on walls. On an accent wall, Dusty Aqua Alt creates a focal point that draws the eye and adds visual depth to the room. Pair it with a lighter color on the remaining walls for the best contrast.
Closest Matches in Other Brands
Find the closest equivalent to PPG Dusty Aqua Alt from other paint brands. Matches are calculated using Delta E (CIE2000), the industry standard for measuring perceptual color difference.
Benjamin Moore Matches
Rockport Gray is greener. Steel Curtain is more neutral.
View all Benjamin Moore matches →Sherwin Williams Matches
Network Gray is warmer. Steel Curtain is cooler.
View all Sherwin Williams matches →Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for PPG Dusty Aqua Alt is Network Gray (SW 7073) with a Delta E of 4, which rates as a "good match" match. Network Gray is warmer. Steel Curtain is cooler. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart, while 2 to 4 means the difference is subtle.
Dusty Aqua Alt has cool dark neutral undertones. A cool, dark neutral gray named for the famous Pittsburgh defensive line. Tough, solid, and reliable. One of PPG's most balanced dark grays. Undertones become most visible when the color is on a large surface like a wall, and they shift depending on the light source in your room. Always test with a physical sample in your specific space to see how the undertones interact with your lighting, flooring, and furnishings.
Dusty Aqua Alt (PPG1035-5) has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 22, which puts it in the medium-dark range. LRV measures the percentage of light a color reflects on a scale from 0 (pure black) to 100 (pure white). At 22, this is a darker color that creates a cozy, intimate atmosphere. Pair it with bright white trim for the best contrast.
Dusty Aqua Alt leans cool. The cool dark neutral undertones give it a crisp, fresh quality. It pairs well with chrome, silver, cool-toned wood, and white marble. In south-facing rooms with warm light, the cool undertones help keep the color from feeling too warm.
Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.