Should I really level 5 my drywall?

Trucon01

Hi All,

I just recently realized there are different drywall finishes. What are your thoughts on level 5 finishing for basements?

I have to say, I hate seeing the slight imperfections in the walls throughout the house, so I may have answered my own question.

Now for the level 5, do people really put on mud with a paint roller?

As always, thank you!!

Lavid2002

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzTD6FKJKOc

nuf' said

AtlanticWBConst.

The question is more of:

Does the average DIYer have the skill level and ability (and patience) to perform a level 5 finish on a project?

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titanoman

I didn't know drywall had so many levels.

Lavid2002

Neither did I... it seems to be a big fix to a nonexistent problem unless someone is going over your drywall with a magnifying glass.

TarheelTerp

Being from the east coast I thought that the norm for walls was plaster smooth.
Imagine my surprise when I went to the west coast and saw what I took for amateurish work.

I still see anything but plaster smooth as a sign of incompetence... not a style choice.
Others can have their views too.

Trucon01

Yea, I think I'm sold on the roll on joint compound (level 5 finish) I don't mind some extra work. Thanks guys

chrisn

good luck, it takes YEARS of practice to do this properly

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Maintenance 6

It depends on how the wall will be finished. If it gets painted with flat finish and the light strikes it straight on or if it gets a more glossy finish and the light will wash across the surface. Light colors and glossy finishes need a higher level of finish than dark flat colors.

mikegp

Seems like overkill for a basement, but it is up to your personal preference. Think about your lighting setup in the basement and if your light patterns will show many imperfections. Generally basements don't have much natural light so you could get away with more. I also hate seeing any imperfections, but I think with a small amount of extra time and attention to detail I could get the walls to a point that would look perfect to the naked eye or at least enough to make me happy. It really depends on lighting. I have seen terrible walls that look great until you put a light at the right angle.

AtlanticWBConst.

....Good Luck Storming the Castle....

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Trucon01

Thanks

Any opinions on the mud to use at each step? Should I use the regular green top for everything or should I use the green top and then the blue top (lightweight) for the final level 5 skim coat?

AtlanticWBConst.

Use the light weight blue top.

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joecaption

Unless I was trying to cover up a wall full of repairs or an old texture there's no way in heck I would ever go to all that extra work and dust making labor.
100 % not worth the time and little if anything to gain.

dberladyn

Hi,

I am a Professional Drywall Finisher. Level 5 is overkill in my opinion, you can achieve close to the same result with another coat or two of paint (applied properly). The only place I would Level 5 something in my own home is on a wall which is saturated with sunlight at shallow angles, or skylights.

It's really not worth the trouble... and for most of you, a poorly done level 4 finish is probably great in your eyes. I wouldn't worry about trying for a level 5 finish, most likely it's far beyond what most of you are capable of (or will ever see).

Dan