diff --git a/lib/res/values/attrs.xml b/lib/res/values/attrs.xml
index 04d78a518..68a19c16c 100644
--- a/lib/res/values/attrs.xml
+++ b/lib/res/values/attrs.xml
@@ -43,6 +43,10 @@
          resource. -->
     <attr name="colorPaletteSecondary" format="reference"/>
 
+    <!-- The scrim background that appears below modals and expanded navigation menus.
+         The background can either be a color or a bitmap drawable with tileMode set to repeat. -->
+    <attr name="scrimBackground" format="color|reference"/>
+
     <!-- TODO: Need to audit these attributes to see if they are useful. -->
     <attr name="colorMaterialControl" format="color"/>
     <attr name="colorMaterialControlHighlight" format="color"/>
diff --git a/lib/res/values/colors.xml b/lib/res/values/colors.xml
index 8261e34d6..ae6cd9c76 100644
--- a/lib/res/values/colors.xml
+++ b/lib/res/values/colors.xml
@@ -56,5 +56,5 @@
   <color name="mtrl_text_btn_bg_color_pressed">#48191919</color>
 
   <!-- 32% opacity black -->
-  <color name="mtrl_scrim_color">#82000000</color>
+  <color name="mtrl_scrim_color">#52000000</color>
 </resources>
diff --git a/lib/res/values/themes_base.xml b/lib/res/values/themes_base.xml
index 0d3e89ab4..03e57d652 100644
--- a/lib/res/values/themes_base.xml
+++ b/lib/res/values/themes_base.xml
@@ -47,6 +47,8 @@
 
     <item name="colorPalettePrimary">@array/design_default_color_palette_primary</item>
     <item name="colorPaletteSecondary">@array/design_default_color_palette_secondary</item>
+
+    <item name="scrimBackground">@color/mtrl_scrim_color</item>
   </style>
 
   <style name="Base.V14.Theme.MaterialComponents.Light" parent="Platform.MaterialComponents.Light">
@@ -62,6 +64,8 @@
 
     <item name="colorPalettePrimary">@array/design_default_color_palette_primary</item>
     <item name="colorPaletteSecondary">@array/design_default_color_palette_secondary</item>
+
+    <item name="scrimBackground">@color/mtrl_scrim_color</item>
   </style>
 
   <style name="Base.V14.Theme.MaterialComponents.Dialog" parent="Platform.MaterialComponents.Dialog">
@@ -77,6 +81,8 @@
 
     <item name="colorPalettePrimary">@array/design_default_color_palette_primary</item>
     <item name="colorPaletteSecondary">@array/design_default_color_palette_secondary</item>
+
+    <item name="scrimBackground">@color/mtrl_scrim_color</item>
   </style>
 
   <style name="Base.V14.Theme.MaterialComponents.Light.Dialog" parent="Platform.MaterialComponents.Light.Dialog">
@@ -92,6 +98,8 @@
 
     <item name="colorPalettePrimary">@array/design_default_color_palette_primary</item>
     <item name="colorPaletteSecondary">@array/design_default_color_palette_secondary</item>
+
+    <item name="scrimBackground">@color/mtrl_scrim_color</item>
   </style>
 
   <!-- Themes in the "Base.Theme" family vary based on the current platform