I recently had some drywall work done and I thought it was a Level 2 finish which would not be ready for painting. However, the drywaller insists that it is perfectly smooth and ready to go. When I asked him about the different levels of finish, he seemed confused and said there are just three steps: tape, mud, and sand. I'm wondering if I should sand it more, add another coat of mud, or is it truly ready for me to just apply primer and paint? Also, I'm planning to use Color Atelier Limewash Paint, which has a flat finish and is thinner than regular paint, so I'm curious how that might affect the final result. Here's a photo of the current state: https://imgur.com/a/bLgf4k2
3 Answers
You might want to think about the butt joints lining up over doors. If they’re not aligned properly, it can cause structural issues, especially with heavy doors. I’d advise getting the drywaller back to fix that, or you could tackle it yourself. Just follow the steps: make sure your mudding is even, then sand lightly, and you could prime after that. It's okay to patch up small imperfections before the final paint!
From what you've described, it sounds like the finish isn't quite up to standard. If you paint over those imperfections, they'll likely become more noticeable. I'd recommend adding more mud and using a 10" knife to apply it, and then lightly sanding with a mesh screen to smooth out any bumps. You want to be careful not to damage the paper underneath, though! Don't rush it; it's better to make sure it's right before painting.
Honestly, I’ve been in a similar spot and it's frustrating! If I were you, I'd try to get the drywaller to come back and do more work. But if that's not an option, just take matters into your own hands. Focus on the spots that stand out under bright light, mud them up a little more, and you can always touch up those little spots after priming. Trust me, a little extra prep will make the paint job look so much better!