Level 5 Drywall Finish

There are all kinds of approaches to achieving a level 5 drywall finish. Here is a quality video from USG that illustrates what a level 5 finish is and how it's achieved by spraying a primer/surfacer coat. Great stuff!

[@billykkutter]

I always used leftover tan latex paint to mix in the mixture. Actually used 3 mud to 1 paint. Or about 1 gallon paint for 3 to 4 boxes of mud. This makes it really easy to see any areas that need touchup and after sanding and feathering the edges of the touch up with a wet sponge, you will always be able to spot prime with ease. This method was used on many multi million dollar resort homes in Big Sky Montana.

[@NexusCapital]

Are you able to sand with this mixture?

[@billykkutter]

@@NexusCapital Sanded all walls and ceilings two directions. Sounds like a lot of work but use 180 or 150 grit and it is really fast and easy. Not a lot of grinding, just a little pressure and do about 6 ft length then backtrack the other direction. The painters love the finished product.

[@NexusCapital]

@@billykkutter I dont mind putting in the work to get a good finish. Thanks for the tips. Are you using a Mark V pump for heavier stuff like this?

[@williamferguson7234]

How did you "bust out" the butts?

[@billykkutter]

I used a 15 inch cement trowel and layed 3 wide with a smooth pass down the middle just above the tape. Then on the final I would do the same and sand smooth. Sometimes I had to build up the low side even more.@@williamferguson7234

[@squeekhobby4571]

Well explained. Can you also recommend the best sprayers for a diy project

[@avgjoe-cz7cb]

A simple thank you is required...great tips.

[@cosmoblivion]

Good vid of the actual process in action... Which is all I needed. It has been too many years since I worked some top-notch drywall techs/artists. And now I have to do our extra room because my spouse has no idea what goes into this!!

[@williamferguson7234]

For personal homes This technique is overkill.

[@Skrimpish]

If you are spraying, MOP the walls down with a 24inch microfiber style mop slightly damp. It clears the dust for a better result

[@Stan_in_Shelton_WA]

OMG, LOL, finsh coat 18 to 20 Millimeters thick (3:00) SURELY they meant 18 to 20 mills as in thousandths of an inch, 18 to 20 millimeters would be 7/8 of an inch thick coat of primer LMAO.

[@Monuments_to_Good_Intentions]

Stan Rodgers yes. The voice over actor couldn’t tell the difference from the script.

[@turbohyde]

Yeah, I was like, 1.8 mm? No wail, 18 mils or 18 thou is more like it.

[@jaymack5448]

I actually looked at my ruler and was, what the hell are they on! Probably end up with a big puddle on the floor.

[@harryjoshmoskowitz6781]

I'm watching this video after finishing to see if i missed anything and to see other techniques that may be useful next time. For a second I thought I had really f'd up and needed to apply 40 -50 more coats to achieve 20mm. Then i though about how ridiculous that sounded and realized the decimal place error from the narrator

[@williamferguson7234]

sshhhhh

[@josuemartinez7205]

--- My house has Level 5 Finished Walls with stained Crown Molding and base boards. It looks very elegant 👍 Totally worth it 😃

[@edcore2029]

Josue Martinez its probly level 4 jk

[@climaxhubbard]

neat..

[@AssWhole-u6d]

More worth it for whoever you paid.

[@jarin12ga]

May as well do Veneer plaster. Less work for the same level!!

[@ldfelix]

I dont do drywall and I loved this video. lol.

[@drywallbrothers6141]

I love this video, very professional and proper understanding of a level 5 finish. me personnaly love a level 5 smooth finish, on the first coat do you use a red dot all purpose mud to stick to the new drywall?. thank you for sharing

[@flgc28]

Mils via mil gauge are not the same thing as milimeters (mm)

[@adisworld3255]

Wow, apply it 20mm thick? That’s almost 1 inch. How do you get it that thick with a sprayer??

[@artrainger]

How do you feel about wet sanding for a smooth surface and how it affects primer/paint adhesion?

[@axiomandy]

They do say "Millimeters". However they show the use of a "mil gauge". It's an oversight by whoever signed off on the final edit, but it's obviously "mils". Further, it's not like too many novices are going to be trying to apply their own L5 finish.

[@jetbikes1]

My office is done with level 7 due to the paint we wanted , it looks rich in Depth.

[@jocu87]

What kind of paint

[@GruvenHaus]

Gypsum Association and Drywall Finishing Council go no higher than Level 5..

[@davidbahr9612]

Level 5 is the highest level for both trades. In drywall its a skim coat demonstrated here, and in painting the wall is finished with an airless sprayer no roller texture

[@rcre7052]

BS

[@petergriffin1546]

To fix the new plaster walls can you apply this to new plaster walls before the first water mist /emulsion coat?

[@Stan_in_Shelton_WA]

Is this the voice of Home Depot as well as the music?

[@corrymichelini]

I'll take blueboard and plaster any day.

[@edgarosorio215]

USG needs to get better paper for the drywall, point and simple.

[@danmittler6321]

Just curious what level is s piece of drywall before it is taped

[@danmittler6321]

If someone tells me it's a level 4 then drywall companies should make level 5 drywall and someone will make millions

[@justpaintitright6442]

love this video

[@tigahshark]

What tip was used?

[@garypostell5268]

Interesting indeed thank You 🙏

[@spiccolirocks3580]

25.4mm = 1" ? Do you think they made a mistake?

[@RiverSLV]

Nah you slap that shit on there thick billy

[@PedroSanchez-pr5nr]

Would you recommend,or is it possible to spray a smooth texture on walls that’s already a knockdown texture ceilings are anywhere from 20 to 25 ft

[@deputyja1]

I did it today and do a couple jobs a month

[@williamferguson7234]

no

[@RiverSLV]

That’s spending a ridiculous amount of time and money to make it not look much better knockdown is easy to touch up and matxh

[@victorlaw1890]

so can I roll the primer/surfacer on the wall or ceiling?

[@Helterskelter4]

Why not use proper plaster, not drywall mud? You guys really need some British Gypsum Multifinish over there in the US.

[@pennyglisson4450]

can u fill me in ? I’m listening? I want to know what ur saying ? i can google yes but this is interesting to where i want some 411 from someone who knows what’s up ????

[@josuemartinez7205]

Did he say USG Products??

[@Dudemieser]

Great information!

[@andersonandrew112]

What a great little video.

[@jaycbee98]

18 to 20 mm thick 😜 May as well dry wall it again😂😂 then tape an sand 🙄

[@endoalley680]

Should be mils. (Thousandths of an inch) about the thickness of a light piece of paper.

[@Stan_in_Shelton_WA]

Yep almost an inch thick, may interfere with fitment of trim and moulding/casing! HA!

[@Stan_in_Shelton_WA]

not to mention the dry time, maybe a month.

[@DanO181919]

Believe this or not... I invented the level 5 finish. Only I just called it applying a solid skim coat over the already taped, bedded, skim coat.

[@frankharo1437]

Why not three coat all the joints and use a good drywall primer

[@bluecollaraquatics5268]

What pressue setting? How much water added to myd? Thanks

[@notsure4054]

3000 psi 1.1 gallon per minute and a .523 tip....no water

[@user-ys1ki8sp8s]

A hard hat to skim coat? I didn’t know mud was that dangerous.

[@penguinman1000]

Then you have obviously never worked with mud.

[@XECUTA2]

seriously? 20mm??? our standard thickness in NZ is 5mm. 20mm is a waste of product wouldnt you think so?

[@lariwoo]

+san happy This is WFT wet film thickness 1 mill = 0.001" or 25 microns (0.025mm) to us metricians

[@fr8trainUS]

They misspoke, said millimeters instead of mills

[@rb1164]

+Michael Durkin Exactly ! 1mm = the thickness of a dime. So 20mm = the thickness of 20 dimes. I had to replay that part because I thought I miss heard what he said.

[@djoro8126]

Michael Durkin You're correct. 20 mils = 0.5 mm. I use a Graco 1595 with tip ranges from 319-523

[@ibsenalamo4471]

all purpuse need water too??

[@qualitydrywallfinishing9832]

That's quite a system.

[@isabelbm2310]

2:57 "18-20 miliimetters thick"? Really, 4/5 of an inch thick? Looks more like it was .18-.2mm thick.

[@67goodoleboy67]

Isabel BM I agree

[@athhud]

18-20mm thick? That’ll shrink a room significantly! By the way, your millimeter gauge is broken. Lol

[@kilomancer]

try hand trowelling all that

[@LocoAsasino]

Only makes sense to level 5 your ceilings

[@jamiedorsey4167]

Smooth ceilings need imo. I also recommend long walls with a window at the end, the kind you tend to look down lengthwise at rather than straight on.

[@bibo3373]

“18mm to 20mm thick”, that has to be a misstatement?

[@freddysanchez6500]

What kind of gun is that ?

[@notsure4054]

I use a Graco Texpro 1500 machine(gasoline powered). 3000psi, 1.1 gallon per minute, with a .523 tip

[@catniprowe3938]

👌

[@statelypenguin]

That is one thick coat. Customers might be upset that they lost a few inches in room dimension. Perhaps we meant 18-20 mils? I would expect this kind of flub from a user-made video but not a professionally narrated and produced one from USG.

[@stevekerouac3984]

Yup wast of money taping 30 plus years get good taper put flat paint on ceasing nothing else

[@frankharo1437]

Yup you are absolutely right it's just a smooth wall level 5 is just a fancy made up phrase

[@bobisthebuilder3982]

Really? 20mm? Thats 3:4 of an inch I thought this was Skimcoat not lath and plaster. That thick you will be forever repairing cracks if the product stays on the wall

[@waynestrickland4589]

No its referred to as "20mil". It's .02" inches

[@basharyassin7091]

How 20 mm thick this is 2 CM it is almost an inch, What MM we are talking about here

[@tomtomlin7127]

On a uk site you wont make any money.For your own home maybe it is a nice finish.But good upload thank you.

[@paulmryglod4802]

Tom Tomlin they rarely do that here in the US. I've done three in ten years as a painting contractor. in harsh, raking light, it is superb.

[@tomtomlin7127]

Yer for a painter i can see it's the next best thing to bread & butter.Great finish to work on.

[@Ocanadakiter]

Better charge extra for that.. . $$$$$$$

[@malenkoicp]

18-20mm thick is heaps... just so you know, 20mm is getting pretty close to an inch

[@moranes100]

People there is no such thing level 5 why they keep saying that smooth walls. Flat walls. Ready for paint walls thats all there is to it dont be fool by the fancy word. Its what i do. So lets get it right

[@lanceladue2818]

Why are people trying to make cheap spackle joint compound finish into a quality finish...no matter what anyone does it's been proven to fail in 5-10 years...just basecoat finish plaster for quality...

[@kienh5466]

Bai hát thanh pho buồn

[@প্রতারকমুক্তবাংলাদেশচাই]

How much is that money

[@rawcus918]

This guy is just reading another paint companies website. Word for word. Level 5 should be trowel applied skim coat

[@dojahmastah7156]

Spray all day!

[@satturatedphat]

18-20 millimeters?!?! That's almost a 3/4 inch layer!!! Good lord no....

[@reallybadaim118]

That's mantastic.

[@125606angel]

This is to much work I have a product that I can spray iup to 150 gallons in 45 minutes. And make thousands. This is to slow and to much work.

[@jag8901]

18-20 mm thick LOL - Right !! 18 -20 Microns pal

[@MrAnticaArte]

This is NOT a level 5. May be is a level 5 in America and in Canada, but not in Italy.

[@chetlangford2144]

Claudio Matricciano how does Italy do it ? I put 3 coats of mud sand in between 4th coat goes over the entire walls and ceiling! 4th coat I use no water just spin it . then use a 24inch blade to trial smooth then sand again with 320 grit . Then finally spray the primer with a graco in a cross pattern. After this we prime once with zinsser then paint twice with Benjamin Moore! Matte paint and always hand roll paint on walls and ceilings!

[@carloshdezfranco434]

Chet Langford ?

[@chetlangford2144]

Carlos Franco ? What

[@PerfectTag]

Chet Langford sounds like alot of work for nothing. The Italian was no doubt referring to Venetian plaster. It's much nicer then this way of doing it. Looks like glass at the end.

[@chetlangford2144]

pquin77 well for me it works! It's a harder surface on the walls !!! I've got kids lol 😂

[@cosullivan1357]

18-20 mils not mm. O

[@johnmcvay2627]

Really guy didn’t even use channel locks correctly!!

[@tweedie2100]

skim coat the whole wall sucks and takes a whole to sand and touch up. at the end of the day you are working for peanuts. level five is no better the three nice coats.

[@RedSnakeGT500]

Except when you apply a gloss finish to level 4 and it looks like crap.

[@moneyisgood2011]

That's a lot of sanding 😂😂😂

[@jocu87]

Not if done properly

[@frankharo1437]

That's not a level 5 finish a level 5 is a smooth coat a level 5 goal is not to be able to see your tape joints priming is done by a painter not a drywaller what a joke

[@12pharro]

Um…. How about 20 mils instead of 20 mm lol

[@henriksalvesen2788]

3:00 18 to 20 millimeters.... so about 3 quarters of an inch...

[@sophiabarbosa3522]

It’s not the walls smooth

[@mattmccaughen8082]

Dear God just put the mud on twitch your knife and take it off why are u adding more steps dude you would take forever to clean

[@MrVitaliyMatsko]

Yes just keep spend $ more and more

[@markbenson5168]

TRUMP owns 2020!!!!

[@JimmyyatikLL]

Not even close to inches. Or even a quarter inch. U ppl are fools.

[@aqqi101]

Jimmy Kitay you seem wise randomly insulting random people over measurements haha

[@endoalley680]

The guy said 20mm. That is very roughly 3/4".

[@joejaramillo9757]

I've been a drywall finisher for 37 years, why people want level 5 for they're finished product is beyond me. no one's happy. contractors, homeowner are never satisfied. no matter how much time you work on it no one's happy. level 5 boring, too smooth, needs character. texturing gives that character

[@gratefuldude941]

Texturing is for rube clients and hack finishers.

[@phillipmccarter7471]

Joe Jaramillo I agree completely been doing drywall for 17 years and can't understand why anyone would want level 5 . It's just a waiste of time. And can't be achieved . Only thing that it's good for is to hang vynal graphics over on a certain area .

[@deputyja1]

I've made alot of money doing level fine. They pay what's asked and my machines earn their money

[@ricksgiggle8852]

@Whitaker's World I've made money doing Level 5 finish. You just have to be prepared for the extra week of labor and picky customer that comes with it. I never bid it cheap so I don't always get the job BUT when I do get the job I've calculated a strict client, lots of sanding and touch up labor/time, gas money for trips, extra materials, a good cash collecting schedule so I can keep my guys paid and we're set. It's all in learning to put up with the job and making sure you're getting what you're worth. If not, you'll hate it and get tired of hearing from the same owner and going back to the same job site.

[@dmontes81]

Texture has its place.. But not as a finish on walls and ceilings in the main living space. A textured garage ceiling with smooth walls or even all texture or closets... I seen nice very light texture on ceilings in homes. However a bed texture\skip trowel job is just gross. If you cant provide a smooth enough finish to make a customer happy then you shouldnt do it. This isnt a knock on you but if you know you cant make them happy or your going to lose money trying then move on. Like on of the other guys here said, just bid the job high. To me this is a no brainer. If its a job you really dont want unless they are willing to pay a much higher price then you overbid.. This way lose the bid which is ok or they accept and you make a nice profit. This way your also able to take your time and make sure its close to perfect. In all honesty if they want a level 5 perfect finish then you should tell them to hire a good plasterer.

[@thetruth917]

waste of time n money....

[@MegaMetinMetin]

Steven Reeves peasent

[@rolandgrz1975]

Amateurs

[@RaginPooh]

Do not ever skim coat walls.... I've been drywalling for 20+ years. Just don't ever do it.

[@RaginPooh]

SubconsciousDweller because it's a total waste. You can achieve a top tier level 5 finish without it. You never skim a wall. It makes it soft and will always end up needing touch ups.

[@Bigrush310]

Ragin Pooh Without skimming the wall you have a Level 4 finish. Doesn't matter how nice it turns out, it is still not a level 5! Like the video says, it equalizes porosity which helps prevent flashing. We only do it in rooms that get a ton of sunlight throughout the day. Trust me, it helps! You can't always count on painters to wipe and prep the walls properly!

[@RaginPooh]

lovesomecujo Flashing only occurs on cheap drywall or if the paper has been compromised. You also will never have joint tape flashing if you aren't shit at mudding anyways. Skimming a wall is costly and inefficient for a level 5 finish. You will have much better results hiring a proper painting crew to do a double prime, then sanding, then putting a final 3rd primer coat. It's also cheaper. Trust me, 20+ years experience talking. Skimming walls is a complete waste. Porosity can be incredibly inconsistent with skim coats. Humidity, temperature, even the purity of the water makes porosity highly inconsistent. With a triple primer coat with sanding, you're results will be much faster, cheaper, and higher overall consistency. Especially if you spray and back roll everything.

[@Bigrush310]

Ragin Pooh I'm not sure why it's even a discussion. Get your hands on a Gypsum Construction Handbook! Inside you will find the American standard to achieve or be considered what we call a level 5 finish. Anything else is 4 or under.

[@Chris-oz5md]

Ragin Pooh priming 3 times? Why not just prime once real good and then paint. Looks perfect