The 11 Best Primers For Level 5 Finish!

Moving into a home with rough level 5 finishes on the walls and ceilings is heart-wrenching, especially when planning a housewarming party. 

These imperfections can jeopardize your plans and lessen your confidence. However, you can turn the tables around with a primer and smoothen the rough finishes to fit your taste. 

Primers are always at your beck and call when it comes to achieving the perfect interior décor for your home. 

Hence, I’ll highlight the 11 best primers for your home, their efficiency, cost, and much more. 

11 Best Primers for Level 5 Finish

Admittedly, achieving a level 5 finish is daunting as it requires a lot of effort and materials, such as skim coats and primers. 

Sometimes, homeowners express disappointment in their homes’ rough level 5 finishes, especially centers of focus like the living room and dining area.

The fault is usually from the primer utilized or the procedures taken to complete a level 5 finish for your home. 

Notwithstanding, you can adjust the rough finishes by purchasing the suitable primer and taking the correct procedures. Without further ado, let’s dive into the 11 best primers for a level 5 finish.

#1. Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Interior or Exterior Multi-Purpose Water-Based Wall and Ceiling Primer

This product is one of the best primers to use for a level 5 finish. It is a multi-purpose primer that works effectively on drywall, wood, concrete, and metal. 

However, there’s a catch! It is a water-based primer that you can use to conceal light and medium stains on your walls and ceilings, but it doesn’t conceal heavy stains. 

Nonetheless, this product dries quickly. In other words, it usually takes 35 minutes to dry after its application to the wall or ceiling and prepared for another coat in 1 hour. 

Furthermore, it is easy to use and lasts for a long time. So you don’t have to worry about the cost as it’s worth every penny.

Plus, provided the proper procedures are taken, you don’t need to sand the wall or ceiling after applying the primer. 

In addition, this primer conceals unpleasant odors, has low VOCs, and is resistant to mold and mildew. This primer is an affordable product that you can use for your DIY project. 

You can click here to purchase this product at an affordable rate.

#1. What We Like 

• It is mold and mildew resistant.
• It has low VOCs.
• It conceals odors. 
• It conceals light and medium stains. 
• It dries quickly/fast.
• It is a multi-purpose primer that can be used on many surfaces.

#2. What We Don’t Like 

• It only conceals light and medium stains but doesn’t conceal heavy stains.
• It’s thinner than other primers. 

#2. KILZ 2 All-Purpose Interior/Exterior Multi-Purpose Water-Based Wall and Ceiling Primer

This product is an excellent all-purpose primer that you can use for level 5 finish and on a variety of surfaces like drywall, painted metal, masonry, stucco, plaster, paneling, and wood.

The best part is that this primer is budget-friendly, and you can get it at an affordable price.

You can use the primer in the interior and exterior of your home without any problems. 

KILZ 2 All-Purpose Primer is highly efficient, and you can use it for your DIY project, especially when you want to change the interior décor of your home. 

Furthermore, it’s effective in covering dark paint, light and medium stains, and odors on your walls and ceilings but doesn’t cover heavy stains. 

Also, this primer is easy to use, provided you clean and sand the surface of your drywall or wood before applying the primer. You can apply the primer with a roller, spray, or brush.

KILZ 2 All-Purpose primer takes approximately 30 minutes to dry and is ready for another coat after 1 hour. 

Interestingly, this primer highlights the colors on your wall, has low VOCs, low odor, and is resistant to mildew, which makes it durable. 

Hence, you can click here to buy this primer. 

#1. What We Like 

• It can be used on a variety of surfaces.
• It conceals light and medium stains. 
• It conceals dark paint.
• It has low VOCs.
• It conceals odors. 
• It has a low odor. 
• It is mildew resistant.
• It dries quickly/fast.

#2. What We Don’t Like 

• It doesn’t conceal heavy stains. 

#3. Zinsser B-I-N Interior Multi-Purpose Shellac Wall and Ceiling Primer 

This product is one of the best primers in the market as it offers the best results due to its efficiency and high-quality components. 

Zinsser B-I-N primer is another versatile product that you can use for level 5 finish and on wood, glossy surfaces, drywall, stucco, brick, cabinets, and metal. 

In addition, it’s easy to use and takes approximately 20 minutes to dry, and is ready for another coat after 40-50 minutes. 

This product is highly effective in obstructing tough stains and eliminating strong odors. You can use this Zinsser B-I-N primer on surfaces damaged due to water, fire, and rust. 

Furthermore, you can use it to conceal stains from tannin, lipstick, and dark colors on your walls and ceilings. Unfortunately, this product is quite expensive and has high VOCs and odor. 

Hence, wearing a mask or opening your windows to let in fresh air to avoid suffocation due to the VOCs is imperative. 

Nevertheless, you can click here to purchase this product. 

#1. What We Like 

• It blocks tough stains permanently. 
• It dries fast.
• It can be used on many surfaces. 
• It conceals damages from water, fire, and rust.

#2. What We Don’t Like 

• It’s expensive. 
• It has high VOCs.
• It has a high odor. 

#4. KILZ 3 Premium Interior/Exterior Primer 

This product is an outstanding primer perfect for your level 5 finish. KILZ 3 primer is a water-based formula that provides a smooth finish and seals surfaces. 

It’s suitable for surfaces like drywall, plaster, masonry, paneling, brick, stucco, well-prepared glossy surfaces, painted metal, and wood. 

It obstructs/covers medium and heavy stains and provides exceptional adhesion to many interior and exterior wall and ceiling surfaces. 

Furthermore, it’s easy to use and affordable. Also, it takes roughly 30 minutes-1 hour to dry and be ready for another coat. 

Plus, you can use it to conceal previous colors on your walls and ceilings. Unfortunately, KILZ 3 Premium primer will take longer to dry if you apply it in a poorly ventilated room/area. 

You can open the windows to let in fresh air to increase the drying process. Also, it has little to no VOCs, has low odor, lasts for a long time, and is mildew resistant. 

You can click here to purchase this product. 

#1. What We Like 

• It has low VOCs.
• It dries fast.
• It’s a versatile primer that can be utilized for many surfaces.
• It conceals heavy stains. 
• It’s durable.
• It has a low odor.
• It’s resistant to mildew.

#2. What We Don’t Like 

• It consumes much time to dry in a poorly ventilated room/area. 

#5. Glidden PVA 5 Gallon Drywall Interior Primer 

This affordable primer is one of the best primers for DIYers who are on the hunt for a budget-friendly and high-quality primer to produce a smooth level 5 finish.

Glidden PVA primer has low VOCs and can cover up to 45 drywall sheets. Amazing, right? 

With these features, you don’t have to worry about your health or purchasing many buckets of this primer. 

Furthermore, it’s easy to use and efficient, and you can utilize it for many drywall projects at home. It takes roughly 2 hours to dry before it’s ready for another coat. 

In addition, you can use Glidden PVA primer to seal pores/spaces in your new drywall and conceal previous paint on your walls and ceiling. 

Unfortunately, you can only use Glidden PVA primer on drywall and the interior of your home. 

Nevertheless, it’s a reliable primer, and you can click here to purchase it at an affordable price. 

#1. What We Like 

• It has low VOCs.
• It can cover up to 45 drywall sheets.
• It’s budget-friendly.
• It seals pores in new drywall. 
• It conceals old/previous paint. 

#2. What We Don’t Like 

• It can only be used in the home’s interior.
• It takes 2 hours to dry.

#6. KILZ Klear Primer Interior/Exterior  

This water-based and high-performance primer has unique features that deliver a smooth level 5 finish for your DIY project and more. 

KILZ Klear primer is versatile, and you can utilize it for many surfaces, such as brick, drywall, wood, plaster, and masonry. 

It’s highly efficient and easy to use, and 5 gallons of this primer can cover up to 1,500-2,000 square feet, making it perfect for many construction projects and renovations. 

This primer may cost you a lot, but every penny spent is worth it due to its numerous benefits. 

Furthermore, it takes roughly 30 minutes to dry under the right temperature conditions and is ready for another coat after 1 hour.

Plus, it’s resistant to mildew, has low VOCs, and lasts long. You can click here to buy this product for your DIY project. 

#1. What We Like 

• It’s a versatile product that you can use on many surfaces.
• It’s resistant to mildew. 
• It dries quickly. 
• It has low VOCs.
• It can cover up to 1,500-2,000 square feet.

#2. What We Don’t Like 

• It’s a little expensive.

#7. KILZ Odorless Primer/Sealer, Oil Based

This oil-based primer/sealer works effectively on a level 5 finish and seals pores in your walls and ceilings. 

Due to its versatility, you can use it on many surfaces, such as drywall, brick, plaster, glossy surfaces, wood, wallpaper, paneling, masonry, and metal. 

KILZ Odorless primer is efficient, easy to use, and you adhere to the correct procedures. 

Intriguingly, a 1-gallon can of this primer can cover up to 400 square feet and can last for a long time. 

Furthermore, it’s affordable and odorless, blocking and covering stains, tannins, and other tough discolorations.

KILZ Odorless primer takes approximately 30 minutes to dry without any odor, and you can apply another coat after 1 hour. 

Although the label states that this primer is odorless, it still contains high VOCs, which can threaten your health. 

Therefore, opening the windows and putting on a respiratory mask while working with KILZ Odorless primer is only fitting. 

Nonetheless, you can click here to purchase this product at an affordable price. 

#1. What We Like 

• It dries quickly without any odor. 
• It can be used on multiple surfaces. 
• It obstructs stains, tannins, and tough discolorations.
• It can cover up to 400 square feet. 

#2. What We Don’t Like 

• It has high VOCs.

#8. KILZ PVA 5 Gallon White Interior Drywall Primer 

This product is your best bet when it comes to completing a smooth level 5 finish and sealing the pores in your new drywall for maximum satisfaction. 

KILZ PVA primer gives you excellent work at an affordable price, coupled with its efficiency and durability. 

It’s easy to use, and a 5-gallon bucket can cover roughly 2,000 square feet of your drywall. Plus, it contains low VOCs. 

Interestingly, due to its thin nature, you can brush, spray, and roll KILZ PVA primer on your drywall. 

These simple methods allow DIYers to apply many coats of primer on their drywall easily and quickly. 

Unfortunately, KILZ PVA primer takes 24 hours to dry before it’s ready for another coating layer. Nonetheless, you can click here to purchase this product. 

#1. What We Like 

• 5 gallons can cover up to 2,000 square feet of drywall. 
• It has low VOCs. 
• Rolls, brushes, and sprays can be used due to their thin nature. 

#2. What We Don’t Like 

• It takes 24 hours to dry. 

#9. INSL-X Water-Based Bonding Primer 

This primer is always at your service when it comes to completing a unique and smooth level 5 finish for your drywall. 

INSL-X primer is an excellent choice for many drywall projects and can be utilized for many wall and ceiling surfaces.

This affordable primer is budget-friendly, easy to use, and highly efficient, making it perfect for DIYers working with a tight budget. 

Unfortunately, this primer doesn’t conceal surface stains despite the number of coats you apply to your wall or ceiling. Regardless, INSL-X primer has low VOCs, no odor, and bonds quickly. 

Furthermore, 1 gallon of this primer can cover roughly 300-400 square feet of your target area or drywall. In addition, it takes 30 minutes to dry before it’s ready for another layer of coating. 

You can click here to purchase this product at an affordable price.

#1. What We Like 

• It’s budget-friendly. 
• It has low VOCs.
• It has no odor.
• It can cover up to 300-400 square feet of your target area or drywall.
• It dries quickly. 

What We Don’t Like 

• It doesn’t conceal stains. 

#10. KILZ Restoration Interior Primer 

This product is an excellent, efficient, and reliable primer for completing your level 5 finish. 

KILZ restoration primer is a water-based formula that’s easy to use and can be utilized on many surfaces, such as drywall, ceramic, brick, glass, and metal. 

Interestingly, 5 gallons of this primer can cover 1,500-2,000 square feet of your target area. 

Furthermore, you can use it to cover stains like nicotine, tannins, or pet stains. Surprisingly, you can cover the stains and odors with just one coat of your KILZ Restoration primer. 

In addition, KILZ Restoration primer takes roughly 30 minutes to dry, and it’s ready for another coat after 1 hour. 

The downside is that this primer is not budget friendly and might cost a little, but it’s worth the price as it gives you the best results. 

Nevertheless, you can click here to purchase this product.

#1. What We Like 

• It can be used on many surfaces. 
• It dries fast. 
• It conceals stains like nicotine and tannins. 
• It eliminates odors.
• 5 gallons can cover 1,500-2,000 square feet of your target area. 

#2. What We Don’t Like 

• It’s a little expensive. 

#11. Zinsser Gardz Primer 

This affordable product is a great primer that’s efficient, easy to use, and helps to achieve level 5 finish and other drywall projects.   

Surprisingly, one coat of Zinsser Gardz primer is enough to create a smooth finish and helps to make your walls and ceilings stronger. 

One gallon of this primer can cover up to 450 square feet of your target area, and you can use it for large and small DIY projects. 

Furthermore, it’s water resistant and seals pores on new drywall. The only downside is that it has a strong odor. 

Notwithstanding, you can click here to purchase this product at an affordable price. 

#1. What We Like 

• It’s water-resistant. 
• 1 gallon can cover up to 450 square feet of your target area. 
• One coat creates a smooth finish. 

#2. What We Don’t Like 

• It has a strong odor. 

Every primer mentioned in the list above has unique capabilities and can serve you in the long run. 

However, I highly recommend the Zinsser 1-2-3 primer among these primers as it offers many benefits. 

Hence, the table below summarizes the pros and cons of the Zinsser 1-2-3 primer.

Pros	Cons
It’s easy to use.	It’s expensive.
It has low VOCs.	It’s thinner than other primers.
It covers stains.