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DIY a level 5 drywall finish: possible for the layperson?
Posted on 7/19/25 at 7:14 am
Posted on 7/19/25 at 7:14 am
I have four rooms with damaged ceilings from a roof leak many years ago. A local paint company quoted $2700 to sand and paint them and $3900 to perform a level 5 drywall finish and paint them.
It’s one large den, the master bedroom, the dining room, and a small guest bathroom.
It feels steep for ceilings, so I’m now wondering if my lackluster handyman skills can do this myself.
I’ve watched some videos and it seems like time and patience will be the key to doing it right.
It’s one large den, the master bedroom, the dining room, and a small guest bathroom.
It feels steep for ceilings, so I’m now wondering if my lackluster handyman skills can do this myself.
I’ve watched some videos and it seems like time and patience will be the key to doing it right.
6
Posted on 7/19/25 at 7:46 am to StringedInstruments
It will take you twice as long as you think it will.
Posted on 7/19/25 at 8:21 am to StringedInstruments
Yeah, you can achieve a level 5 finish. You will probably regret taking that on a short time into the project - maybe 30 minutes. Considering it’s ceiling work maybe sooner.
I do not like a level 5.
I do not like a level 5.
Posted on 7/19/25 at 8:42 am to StringedInstruments
as I’m certain you already know, a level 5 involves applying a skim coat over the entirety of what would otherwise be a level 4 drywall finish. I can’t imagine why you would want that on your ceilings or actually care to consider it.
We never in 25 years offered or implied to offer a level 5 commercial wall finish…it’s too subjective and you will always (always) find a blemish or imperfection
We never in 25 years offered or implied to offer a level 5 commercial wall finish…it’s too subjective and you will always (always) find a blemish or imperfection
Posted on 7/19/25 at 8:53 am to StringedInstruments
Will be a hell of a workout.
Posted on 7/19/25 at 9:13 am to StringedInstruments
I have an old house and to match existing plaster, I did level 5 in several rooms of my renovation a few years back, including a ceiling radius with hot mud (photo below for reference). It’s a lot of work, but it’s certainly doable. Ceiling work is the worst, so prepare for some achy-arse shoulders, back and neck.
One of the keys (aside from the actual skim coat technique is going to be using your light to identify problem areas that need to be re-worked before primer and paint. Watch some videos, mark them GENTLY with a pencil and make your fixes. First ceiling I did looked like a damn planetarium when I checked for issues. It’s disheartening; don’t rush it.
Also, use flat white ceiling paint, which will hide the imperfections. Good luck.
One of the keys (aside from the actual skim coat technique is going to be using your light to identify problem areas that need to be re-worked before primer and paint. Watch some videos, mark them GENTLY with a pencil and make your fixes. First ceiling I did looked like a damn planetarium when I checked for issues. It’s disheartening; don’t rush it.
Also, use flat white ceiling paint, which will hide the imperfections. Good luck.
Posted on 7/19/25 at 9:36 am to GeauxldMember
So is a level 5 unnecessary? Is there a level 4 or 3 where I can just kinda half arse it to make it presentable?
The ceiling is really wrinkled all across. We have can lights if that matters.
Here’s a pic of one spot. The roof leak was fixed a long time ago, but you can see the wrinkling of the drywall.
The ceiling is really wrinkled all across. We have can lights if that matters.
Here’s a pic of one spot. The roof leak was fixed a long time ago, but you can see the wrinkling of the drywall.
Posted on 7/19/25 at 10:03 am to StringedInstruments
Prime and paint that man. No need to repair the drywall.
Posted on 7/19/25 at 10:19 am to StringedInstruments
if your drywall guy is quoting a level 5 (in other words, not by your request) it’s likely then that there’s an existing skim coat over the ceiling, which means that the damaged area may need to be repaired prior to paint. Or not…I’d get up there myself with a scraper and see what you got. If all that’s needed is a skim coat repair at that area, you could do it. I wouldn’t do it, but it’s doable
Posted on 7/19/25 at 10:42 am to StringedInstruments
quote:
So is a level 5 unnecessary? Is there a level 4 or 3 where I can just kinda half arse it to make it presentable?
If the photo you posted is the worst of it, I’d scrape, patch and sand that shite down, prime it with a primer meant to cover water stains (they’ll show through eventually otherwise), re-caulk your crown, and roll on a flat white ceiling paint. It’ll look 1000% better than it does now. If you’re unhappy with the results, you can always do/hire out for a skim coat down the road.
ETA, it wouldn’t hurt your cause to prime it with BIN after you scrape/sand, but before you skim/patch any extra rippled areas that need it. Often times, Sheetrock mud will bubble when it goes over paint and that’s a sign it’s not wanting to stick. BIN has shellac in it, and ANYTHING bonds to a shellac finish. Fair warning though, it’s really strong and you’ll want the house unoccupied and well-ventilated during application.
This post was edited on 7/19/25 at 10:47 am
Posted on 7/19/25 at 10:50 am to StringedInstruments
Depends on how particular you are. If you want perfection, you should hire it out. 98% of ceilings aren't perfect. They might look perfect under the right lighting but they aren't.
The contractor probably quoted you for a complete skim job because he didn't want any call backs to come look at a nailpop that shows up when the 3:45-4:15pm light cascades across the room.
The contractor probably quoted you for a complete skim job because he didn't want any call backs to come look at a nailpop that shows up when the 3:45-4:15pm light cascades across the room.
Posted on 7/19/25 at 11:36 am to Turnblad85
quote:good point, and probably correct
The contractor probably quoted you for a complete skim job because he didn't want any call backs
Posted on 7/19/25 at 11:58 am to cgrand
Well my neighbor gave me a Mexican guy’s number this morning. He quoted $1800 to scrape, sand, prime, and paint the ceilings. He laughed when I asked about a level 5 skim job.
That’s a much better price than my inept arse standing on a ladder trying to figure it out.
That’s a much better price than my inept arse standing on a ladder trying to figure it out.
Posted on 7/19/25 at 1:15 pm to StringedInstruments
There's a reason most older homes and some new cheaper homes still have textured ceilings. They are a pain in the arse to finish even for the pros.
Posted on 7/19/25 at 1:38 pm to StringedInstruments
Geauldmember and cgrand got you on this one. Listen to them.
Man, I would scrape the old crud off to get to good stuff, put a stain blocker on it, skim that area, and then roll the whole ceiling with flat paint. Caulk as needed. You can certainly do all that yourself.
On a level 5 you can ALWAYS find some imperfections. The key is to not have them in an area that gets the most eye traffic.
Went to look at a job in Hundred Oaks once. Guy was remodeling the entire house. Drywall was already 90% finished and he was complaining about all the slightest imperfections. Wanted me to give him a price on a level 5 throughout the whole house. I thought ain’t no way I’m working for this guy. He will NEVER be satisfied and will nitpick everything. Even imaginary stuff.
Man, I would scrape the old crud off to get to good stuff, put a stain blocker on it, skim that area, and then roll the whole ceiling with flat paint. Caulk as needed. You can certainly do all that yourself.
On a level 5 you can ALWAYS find some imperfections. The key is to not have them in an area that gets the most eye traffic.
Went to look at a job in Hundred Oaks once. Guy was remodeling the entire house. Drywall was already 90% finished and he was complaining about all the slightest imperfections. Wanted me to give him a price on a level 5 throughout the whole house. I thought ain’t no way I’m working for this guy. He will NEVER be satisfied and will nitpick everything. Even imaginary stuff.
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