There are several drywall finishes that are used – depending upon what is specified and chosen by the contractor or homeowner.
Ranging from Level 0, which is no taping, finishing, or accessories – up to a Level 5 drywall finish, which is the finest and smoothest finish available – which includes a skim coat of joint compound applied over the entire wall or ceiling before painting.
Once the drywall contractor gives us the Go-Ahead:
El Gato begins by inspecting each wall for any imperfections that may need touch-up before paint.
Then we’ll apply a high-quality primer, lightly sand and paint, by rolling or spraying, depending on the desired finish.
Our primary goal is to create a perfectly seamless, smooth surface, that shows well with critical lighting. weather light or dark colors, ensuring no imperfections are visible.
✅ Pro Tip: This smooth, consistent finish is essential for minimizing imperfections under harsh or critical lighting conditions and when using high-gloss, non-flat, or dark paints.
El Gato is a Diamond Certified Contractor – Our Diamond Certified team backs every job.
This certification is important to our customers – here we’ll explain what homeowners need to know to ensure their house painting project goes smoothly—from planning and color selection to choosing the right contractor and avoiding common pitfalls.
✅ Pro Tip: Working with a Diamond Certified painting contractor like El Gato, guarantees that we understands your requirements and can help develop realistic standards that balance quality with budget constraints. We can provide color consultation services to ensure your chosen palette complements your architectural styles while meeting durability requirements.
✅ Pro Tip: Although we are not doing the drywall, it is important that you know that we are familiar with all levels of drywall finishing, so we can prep and prepare properly for the best finish available.
5 Levels of Drywall Finishes Explained:
- Level 0: No taping, finishing, or accessories required.
- Level 1: Joint tape exposed, bare fasteners. …
- Level 2: Joint tape embedded, one coat on fasteners. …
- Level 3: One coat of drywall compound atop embedded joint tape, and two coats on fasteners.
This is where an additional skip trawl or heavy texture may be added. - Level 4: Two coats of joint compound atop embedded joint tape, three coats on fasteners.
- Level 5: One or two skim coats are applied over the entire area.
Once the drywall contractor skim coats have dried, the entire surface will be gently sanded once more – to smooth out and remove all tool marks and blemishes. Once this process is over, El Gato will inspect each wall thoroughly to be sure it is ready for the priming and painting service.
Chances are you are painting Level 1-4 Finish on your drywall which is where we will begin.
If we are painting over a level 5, then we will need to apply a sealer for porous surfaces, before we prime and paint.
✅ Pro Tip: Even though we are the pro’s – If there is any question – We are always sure to discuss which sealer is best with our local paint dealer and the factory representatives, to be sure.
Painting drywall is not an easy task
Easy right? Just roll on a couple of coats of paint? – On the contrary. Because drywall is a porous material, it easily absorbs paint. Drywall compound and drywall tape are also two different materials which absorb paint differently – resulting in an uneven finish if not prepared properly.
✅ Pro Tip: El Gato always checks the quality and finishing of the drywall contractor to be sure everything is perfect before we paint.
Our 21 Step Preparation Process of Your Project is Second-to-None
Although we may not be painting your entire house – We are dedicated to upholding the quality and integrity of our industry leading 21 Step Preparation Process.
- Our crew is uniformed, licensed and trained in our 21-step preparation process, ensuring:
- Uniform, streak-free finishes
- Clean job sites
- On-time progress
- Respect for resident privacy and safety
- 6-Year Unconditional Warranty: We stand behind our work with the longest in the region.
✅ Pro Tip: El Gato will hand-check to make sure your drywall finishing is smooth and ready for primer.
Even though the drywall contractor says it is ready to go – We will re-check to be sure all joints, screw holes, and taping has been fine-sanded smooth and ready for primer.
If further sanding or drywall completion is needed, we’ll be sure to contact the drywall contractor.
Selecting The Right Paint – And Proper Primer.
The Right Paint:
At El Gato, using the best brands and proper coating for your project is first and foremost. Using the proper paint will give your drywall a nice even, smooth, and uniform finish.
What paint works best where? The Visual Finish and Look of Paint
Using different paint for different areas of your house
Flat – Is commonly used for ceilings
Satin – Used for living, dining, bedrooms, etc., with little wear and tear.
Semi-Gloss – For bath, kitchen, laundry room, and high usage areas with more moisture and other elements where walls need to be wiped down more often.
Our “more than 148” Google reviews will tell you. You can depend on us – We’ll only supply the best paints and materials for your job.
“Gimme 5” YES “5”
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Rolling by 148 as of 12-09-2025
Painting Morgan Hill and the San Jose Bay Area Since 1977
El Gato knows which is the Proper Primer for the different levels of drywall
Latex primers are good for drywall because they even out the surface of the wallboard and any joint compound applied to it, and any areas that have been patched or repaired. They also can cover and seal in previous minor stains from smoke, lipstick, crayon, etc., but are not as effective at covering stains as oil- and shellac-based primers.
These primers are water-soluble and so are easy to clean. They also come in low- or no-VOC formulas, making them a healthier alternative to oil-based and shellac primers.
Primer for Levels 0-4 Drywall: What is a PVA Primer?
PVA is an Interior latex Primer & Sealer and is designed for use on interior drywall and masonry providing good uniformity for any appropriate latex or oil topcoat.
PVA primer is only designed for priming bare drywall under flat or matte paints. The polyvinyl acetate formula evens the porosity of joint compound and the drywall’s paper face so that subsequent coats of primer or topcoat cover evenly.
Primer for Level 5 Drywall with Skim Coat: What is the best sealer to use?
Level 5 requires a specialty primer, which is best discussed with your paint professional.
Pleasanton Homeowners, Businesses and Contractors Choose El Gato For Their Drywall Painting Because We’re LOCAL.
✅ Professionalism
✅ Honesty
✅ Contractor Referrals
✅ Long-term value
✅ Professional crews
✅ Attention to detail
✅ Transparent estimates
✅ Industry-leading 6 Year Unconditional Warranty
How El Gato Preps & Primes Your NEW Drywall for Paint:
At this stage: Your new drywall has been taped, sanded, smoothed, and is ready for primer.
- We start by inspecting, then dusting or wiping the drywall with a damp (NOT SOAKED) large sponge or cloth to remove any dust or debris and allow it to dry.
- Then we will roll and spray the primer according to industry standards and instructions on the label and allow proper drying time.
- We always use the proper tools for the job
When using Brushes:
✅ 2-3” tapered edge for “Cutting In” corners, windows, doors, and fixtures: We only use good quality synthetic hair or foam brush prevents broken bristles, or hairs from coming off the brush and being applied to wall while painting.
✅ Painting out about 3 inches from corners and around fixtures first, is our first step. This prevents rollers from getting so close to corners that they leave roller marks on the opposite side of the corner.
Professional Industry Standard Rollers used:
✅ Rollers: 12-18” Using a shorter nap or foam roller to ensure a smooth first and second coat. Two thin coats are best.
Choosing the right Roller for the job
Depending upon the project: We always use an even brush stroke and roller in application: Keeping a “Wet Edge”
Making even overlapping strokes & Rolls are essential when applying paint to a surface. The strokes will ensure the even distribution of paint, resulting in a smooth, consistent finish. When using uneven strokes, it’s easy to end up with an uneven paint job that looks patchy and sloppy.
✅ Pro Tip: After over 45 years painting painting remodeled and newly constructed homes in Pleasanton and the Bay Area of California – El Gato knows the best techniques and application processes for the best possible outcome. “The El Gato Difference”
We’ll let the primer dry completely between the first and second coats.
It’s essential to let the first coat of paint dry completely before applying a second coat. If not, the second coat will not adhere properly and may end up peeling or flaking off. Allowing the first coat to dry also enables us to assess whether we need a second coat – sometimes, one coat is enough to achieve the desired effect.
Ready for Paint – Finish Sand After Primer Dries
- After the primer dries, we lightly sand away bumps and ridges using very fine grit sandpaper (180) on the sanding pad and extension pole handle or sheet folded into quarters.
- When the grit of one section of sandpaper becomes covered with dust, we then switch to an unused section and continue, keeping the sand paper fresh and unclogged for the most even surface.
- Then we dust the wall with a clean dry towel, or a damp towel or sponge and allow it to dry before painting.
✅ Pro Tip: El Gato knows the best techniques and application processes for the best possible outcome. “The El Gato Difference“
Painting Drywall
Applying paint follows the same cutting-in, rolling and spraying techniques as primer application.
Using the proper brush: We’ll cut-in the corners and around windows, doors and fixtures.
Paint is applied with the proper selected roller size.
Roller Nap/Thickness: – For Drywall – we’ll usually use the Medium 3/8 roller covers best
When Finished – We’ll clean-up and let you pat us on the back for a Job Well Done.
✅It’s always good to hire a professional like El Gato. View hiring a professional. Here you will see that we have the experience and expertise to finish the job quickly and efficiently for you.
The El Gato Difference – Every Job Gets Our 6 Year Unconditional & Transferable Warranty
Choose a contractor who stands behind their work. At El Gato Painting, we offer an industry-leading 6-year workmanship warranty. Which is double what many competitors offer.
El Gato Painting has the knowledge, track record, and reputation to paint your drywall project “the Right Way.”
Topics we will discuss with you before you hire us.
- Verify we are licensed and insured.
- Agree with you in writing on price and responsibilities.
- Be sure you get our best warranty for the work.
- Make sure we use high-quality materials and paints.
- We’ll carefully go over our 21 steps of preparation and application.
- Welcome your questions and concerns.
- Look forward to your final inspection of our crew’s excellent work.
FAQs
1. What do drywall finishing levels 0–5 actually mean?
Drywall finishing levels describe how smooth and complete a surface is before paint. Level 0 has simply installed boards with no tape or mud. Level 5 is the highest standard, featuring full taping, multiple coats, sanding, and a skim coat. Higher levels ensure smoother, more uniform paint results.
2. When should Level 3 or 4 drywall finishing be chosen for painting?
Level 3 works for surfaces that will receive heavy textures or thick wallcoverings. Level 4 is the standard for most interior bathroom painted surfaces using matte or eggshell finishes. It provides enough smoothness for consistent color and minimal surface imperfections without the added labor of a full skim coat.
3. Why is Level 5 recommended for smooth walls and critical-lighting areas?
Level 5 includes a skim coat that minimizes joint flashing, tool marks, and paper texture differences. In rooms with strong natural or directional light, or when using high-sheen paint, even slight imperfections become visible. A Level 5 finish creates a uniform surface that delivers the most flawless, professional-grade painted appearance.
4. What painting steps best complement Level 0–5 drywall finishes?
Bare Level 0–2 walls are basic finishes and only require priming before you paint. Level 3–4 walls require quality primer and careful sanding. Level 5 walls benefit from high-build primers to maintain uniformity. Across all levels, ensure dust removal, proper priming, and controlled lighting for inspection to achieve consistent, durable, visually smooth paint results.
Painting your drywall in Pleasanton made easy
- Over 45 years in business
- More than 25,000 successful projects
- El Gato Painting has become a trusted name in residential, commercial, industrial and HOA painting in Pleasanton and across the Bay Area.
408-446-1171 Call us today for a FREE consultation!
Please visit our Certification pages:
– Google Page for our long list of 5 Star Ratings.
– El Gato Painting Services From our website here
– Reviews for the company Customer testimonials from our website here
This will give you the peace of mind that you have hired trustworthy and reliable professionals.
Related: How To Paint Your Brick
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