How to Paint Stucco

How to Paint Stucco

1. Inspect the Stucco

   Inspect the stucco's visible structural integrity, including hairline fissures, larger cracks, or holes. Large horizontal cracks may need professional repair.

2. Pressure Wash

   Clean the walls. The very tops of walls tend to collect cobwebs and insect nests, while the very bottoms become dirty with splashed mud.

   • Plug the pressure washer into a GFCI outlet and attach the hose to a hose bib.
   • Power up the washer.
   • Wash the stucco siding starting at the top and working downward at a pressure between 1,500 and 2,500 PSI.
   • When the water coursing down the wall turns clear, the wall is clean.
   • Spray from several angles to clean thoroughly.

3. Scrape Paint

   • Start with the paint scraper at the top of the wall and scrape any peeling or loose paint.
   • Hold the scraper at a low angle to the wall and gently push forward with the scraper. Do not push at a steep angle or too hard to avoid chipping away the delicate stucco.

4. Fix Cracks and Holes

   Fill hairline cracks: Traditional stucco is more prone to cracks and holes, but traditional and synthetic stucco can develop fissures or holes. Fill hairline cracks with caulk.
   

   • Don thick latex gloves.
   • Run a thin bead of caulk over the crack.
   • Push the caulk into the crack with your finger.
   • Dab the caulk with a moistened chip brush to feather it out and blend it with the rest of the stucco.
     

   Fill large cracks: Large cracks are wider than the thickness of the paint scraper blade.

   • Scrape out crumbling stucco.
   • Fill the crack with caulk deep into the cracks.
     

   Fill holes: Holes require a ready-mix stucco patch.

   • Use the 5-in-1 tool to scrape out the hole's loose stucco.
   • Lightly brush out the hole with the wire brush. Exterior stucco has wire backing, so you may need to scrape as deep as that level.
   • Fill the hole with a ready-mix stucco patch.

5. Protect Windows And Doors

   Use painter's plastic or paper and painter's tape to cover windows, doors, and details you don't want painted to protect them from overspray.
   

6. Prime Surface

   • Pour primer into a lined paint tray.
   • Fit a 3/8-inch nap roller cover on a roller frame and screw the extension pole in place.
   • Prime all repaired areas, including stucco patches and caulked cracks.
   • Be sure to load the primer fairly heavily but not to the point where it drips or causes the roller to lag or slide on the surface.

   Tip

   If the stucco is missing paint or the paint is in poor condition, apply primer to the entire surface.

7. Spray Paint

   Use the paint sprayer to spray an area about 8 feet wide by 8 feet high. Spray directly from the front.

8. Randomize Paint

   Spray the same section at different, random angles while the paint is still wet. Because stucco has bumps and ridges, spraying from the front alone will leave unpainted small pockmarks and slivers.

9. Back Roll

   • While the paint is still wet, back roll or roll over it again with the paint roller.
   • Press the paint further into the stucco and blend it.
   • For any large missing sections, re-spray and then back roll.

10. Apply Second Coat

    Follow the paint manufacturer’s directions for the best temperatures for applying the paint and when to apply a second coat. This will vary based on how cool or moist conditions are.

How to Maintain Stucco

Stucco needs to be inspected once or twice yearly for cracks, holes, discoloration, peeling paint, or mold or dirt buildup. Wash the exterior twice to three times annually to keep it looking its best. Before cleaning, repair cracks to prevent water from damaging the stucco and underlying house structure.

To clean the surface, use water first; you may not need a cleaning agent. But if you notice a stain or mold buildup, dilute bleach with water in a spray bottle and apply it over the stain. Allow the solution to sit on the stain for 10 minutes before washing it away with a pressure washer set on low. If the stain is set in, use a soft bristle brush and scrub the stain with some of the cleaning solution.

When to Call a Professional

For large holes in the stucco or for holes that extend beyond the wire backing, hire a carpenter or contractor to repair the siding and the house's wall system. Also, if you notice diagonal or stepped cracks, it can signify a structural or foundational issue, such as settling or shifting. A structural engineer or foundation expert would be the best person to diagnose those issues.

Painting stucco can be tricky; it's not uncommon for property owners to call in experts to repair and paint large stucco projects, mainly since so much prep work is involved.