Paint Stucco
Painting stucco can be difficult because it has a textured surface. Doing the task correctly requires meticulous attention to detail and patience. However, once you paint stucco successfully it can last for many years and increase the value of your home.
Steps
- Let the stucco rest for at least 60 days if it is new. The stucco needs at least 60 days to settle and dry completely.
- Inspect the stucco surface. Look for any areas that are peeling or staining. You may want to mark these areas since they will need extra attention when you are painting over them.
- Pressure wash the stucco using a pressure washer. This will remove dust and dirt and also remove any loose paint from previous paint jobs.
- Set the washer to use low pressure (1200 to 1500 psi) and use a wide spray tip.
- Distance the spray tip approximately 12 inches (30 cm) away from the stucco exterior to give it a light and even wash.
- Wash from top to bottom when working on a vertical surface such as a wall.
- Angle your spray away from window and door frames to prevent water from entering the frames and causing damage.
- Allow the stucco to dry after it has been pressure washed.
- Fill any cracks in the stucco. You can use caulk for small hairline cracks but will need to fill the larger cracks with a thick sealant since it will hold its place more firmly.
- Repair damaged areas by replacing the loose stucco, washing the damaged area and applying patching compound after the surface is dry.
- Select and purchase the paint that you want to apply. You should consider the following points when selecting masonry paint.
- Color: of course the paint should match the color you want.
- Flexibility: the paint should be able to stretch to adjust to temperature changes.
- Dirt and mildew resistance: to minimize cleaning and maintenance requirements.
- Mask the areas that you don't want to paint and cover the floor to protect it from possible drips and spills.
- Pour the paint into a paint bucket that is large enough to dip your roller in.
- Paint over the stucco exterior using a roller.
- A lamb's wool roller is ideal because it holds its shape without splatters.
- Use 1 inch (2.5 cm) nap thickness if the stucco surface is smooth. For rougher surfaces the nap thickness should be 1.5 inches (3.8 cm).
- Apply 2 coats to give a thick film of paint and fill more pores.
- Use a masonry brush in the following ways to finish the job.
- Paint the border areas around windows and doors that the roller was unable to reach. You can paint with much more detail when using a brush.
- Cover the deeper pores in the stucco using the paintbrush. The brush can reach the deeper areas that the roller could not.
Tips
- Tell the store representative at the paint shop about your project and ask for suggestions. Many shops have a section that displays paints that are made for painting stucco. Some paints that are used to paint stucco include elastomeric and acrylic primer paints.
Things You'll Need
- Pressure washer
- Caulk
- Sealant
- Patching compound
- Paint
- Paint bucket
- Roller
- Masonry brush
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