How To Paint Stucco

The most lasting and cost effective way to change the color of stucco is with paint. With your full attention on the details, from surface preparation to applying a high quality finish paint, the new look and color of your exterior stucco can be virtually maintenance free for many years. Keep reading for the step by step instructions for how to paint stucco.

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This starts with proper surface preparation and any needed repairs. Then continues with choosing and applying the best primer and paint.

Before any preparation can begin take a good look at the entire surface. Pay attention to peeling paint, rust stains, efflorescence deposits and any areas needing repair. Peeling paint along with stains and efflorescence deposits can indicate water damage. These areas will require closer inspection after pressure washing.

Preparation:

The preparation begins with a thorough washing to remove all dirt and dust. Pressure washing can be a delicate operation. Stucco is a relatively soft masonry coating and can be easily damaged by high-pressure water.

Masonry cleaners and soaps can be used for heavily soiled areas, efflorescence deposits or rust stains. Usually the use of cleaners is not necessary.

Begin washing at the top of the wall and work your way down. Keep the spray tip 12-inches or more away from the surface. Pay special attention to windows and doors. Angle the pressurized water away from these areas to prevent leaks or water intrusion behind the stucco.

The pressure washer can remove loose paint, but it can also remove some of the stucco if the pressure is too high or the tip is to close. Use the washer to provide a clean surface. Don’t rely on it to remove all the loose paint.

Allow the stucco to thoroughly dry before proceeding with priming and caulking. This can take 24 hours or more depending on temperatures and humidity.

Applying sealants to all cracks and gaps is very important and will drastically affect how long the paint job lasts. Water must be stopped from penetrating beneath the paint finish. The best and most appropriate sealant is an elastomeric caulk. With excellent adhesion and elongation characteristics this sealant will last a long time.

Any loose stucco must be removed and repaired. A professional contractor who can match the existing texture should repair large areas. Smaller areas can be repaired with specialized patching compounds. The basic steps are very easy. First chip away all loose material. Now rinse the area with water using a wire brush to remove any remaining powder or grit. The patching compound can be applied after the area has dried.

The best patching compounds are a powder mixed with water. The first application will smooth the area and level it with the existing finish. The second application is to provide the necessary texture matching the surrounding stucco. Matching any texture is extremely difficult. Most likely the patched area will a little different.

Choosing Primer and Paint:

An acrylic masonry primer is the best for whole house priming. For spot priming an exterior all-purpose acrylic primer can be used.

There are several considerations when choosing masonry paint.

A quality acrylic latex paint formulated for stucco or an elastomeric are the coatings of choice. Acrylic latex provides excellent protection unless some substrate problems or the need to protect against wind-driven rain make elastomeric a better choice. Most top quality elastomeric coatings do not require the use of a primer on clean and sound masonry surfaces. Choosing a finish paint designed for masonry surfaces will ensure maximum durability.

Applying Primer and Paint:

Whether spraying or rolling splatters or drips are probable. Complete masking and covering is recommended.

This is an excellent painting method for short or small areas. The choice of roller cover and nap thickness will have a big impact when rolling stucco.

A lamb’s wool roller cover will work the best. These cover are less likely to splatter and will hold their shape.

The nap thickness depends on the texture of the surface. Use a 1 or 1-1/4 inch for smooth textures and 1-1/2 inch for ruff textures.

Roller applications should be two coats, even if the new color covers well. Two coats will fully fill the pores and provide the proper film thickness.

Begin with the cut-in. Brush around all doors, windows and other openings. This includes any trim and the wall to the soffits. Allow a brushed border of paint 4-6 inches. This will allow the roller to overlap 2-3 inches creating a better seal.

While rolling always saturate the roller cover and never dry roll. Apply a heavy even coat starting at the top of the wall. Finish rolling in a downward direction to make sure the stipple is in one direction.

The size of the airless paint sprayer and tip depends of the type of finish paint.

Is it recommended with use of elastomeric paint at least the first coat should be back rolled to properly fill the pinholes and tight cracks. This method will require two people, one spraying and one rolling. The same considerations when brushing and rolling need to be followed.

Apply the paint as a thick continuous film, immediately roll behind the sprayer. On a hot day you will have to move quickly. To make this a more enjoyable experience, work in the shade as much as possible and follow behind the sun.

Begin spraying at the top and work your way down, working the wall in sections. In order to cover the surface efficiently spray using a horizontal, side to side, movement and a vertical, up and down, movement.

The objective when painting stucco is to provide a continuous film of paint and a pinhole free surface. Do not skimp on the quality of primer or paint and the amount used. Use the best method specific to you and your own situation.