This guide is all about painting stucco exteriors. It covers prep work, choosing the best paint, and application tricks for a perfect finish. Whether your home is modern or old, we’ve got the advice you need.
Key Takeaways
- Proper surface preparation is crucial for successful stucco exterior painting
- Elastomeric coatings are the recommended choice for stucco due to their flexibility and durability
- Spraying and back-rolling is the preferred application method for achieving an even, consistent finish
- Restoring historic stucco homes requires extra care to preserve the original character
- Regular stucco maintenance is essential to prevent deterioration and ensure long-lasting results
Preparing the Surface for Stucco Exterior Painting
For successful stucco Exterior Painting, proper surface prep is crucial. New stucco must cure for 60 days. Then, it’s time for a thorough pressure wash.
This wash removes dirt, chalky build-up, and loose stucco paint. Fill any cracks in the stucco before painting. Elastomeric paint works well on stucco because it’s thick and flexible. It can cover small gaps. In case you want a special color, you might need a tinted acrylic topcoat. Also, priming the stucco is a must for the paint to stick properly.
Inspecting and Repairing Stucco
When checking the stucco, search for big cracks. If a credit card fits, you should patch it. Hairline cracks are okay with elastomeric coatings. But major damage means you might need stucco resurfacing or full replacement. Before painting, fixing these issues is very important.
Priming and Sealing
It’s a good idea to apply a primer/sealer on the stucco surface. Whether it’s been painted before or not, this step is recommended. It helps the new paint stick better, lessens porosity, and fights against the alkalinity of new stucco and carries old paint pigments. Doing this correctly ensures your new coat of paint will look great and last a long time.
Getting the Right Stucco Paint
The best picks for stucco Exterior Painting are elastomeric coatings and stucco texture coatings. These paints are thick and flexible. They cover small gaps well, but they might not offer many colors. If you want a specific shade, you’ll need a tinted acrylic topcoat. Focusing on the right paint means your stucco will not just look good but stay that way for years.
Stucco Exterior Painting Techniques
To paint stucco, special techniques are needed. The best way is to spray on a thick elastomeric paint and then back-roll it. This makes sure the paint spreads evenly and gets into the stucco’s rough surface. Using only a sprayer can be hard because the paint is so thick. After spraying, back-rolling pushes the paint into the little spaces for a smooth look.
Spraying and Back-Rolling
Using a sprayer and then back-rolling is efficient for elastomeric coatings on stucco textures. The sprayer gets the paint on evenly. Then, back-rolling helps the paint soak in, creating a strong and smooth finish.
Rolling and Brushing
Rolling and brushing can work well, especially on smoother stucco. But, it might take a few layers to cover everything. It’s really hard to get an even look with a brush because stucco is so rough. So, it’s best to use a roller.
Historic Stucco Homes
Old stucco homes need special painting care. Not keeping the stucco up can cause big problems, so it’s best to let pros handle fixing and painting it. Finding colors that match old houses can be tough. Sometimes, it’s better to repaint everything in a new but similar color. Choosing the right paint and color are key to keeping the old charm of these houses.
Conclusion
To paint stucco walls well, you need special knowledge. By using the steps in this guide, anyone can make a stucco house look great. This guide helps make a painting project successful, whether it’s a new color or a renovation of older stucco homes.
Start by preparing the surface correctly. This includes checking for and fixing any cracks. Then, you must prime and seal the wall before painting. These steps make the paint last longer.
You can paint by spraying then rolling, or by brushing and rolling. Whichever method you choose, make sure the paint spreads evenly. When painting a historic home, matching the color and protecting its original look are very important.
Now, you can start your stucco painting project with confidence. This guide equips you with the right knowledge and tools. By painting stucco correctly, your home will look beautiful and stay protected from weather, adding value to your property for many years.