If your stucco home is looking faded or dull, a fresh coat of paint could be all you need to refresh its looks and protect it against the weather elements. You have an option to freshen up the existing color or totally change the color to match your new tastes and preferences. But you need to be aware that painting stucco can be particularly difficult due to its uneven texture.
The painting techniques and products used to paint stucco significantly impact the outcome and durability of your project. We highly recommend that you hire a professional painting contractor to help when it comes to tricky surfaces like stucco, but whichever option you choose, here’re some of the things you should know when painting stucco.
Don’t Paint Fresh Stucco
If you’re painting stucco on a new home, or newly applied stucco, you need to give it time to cure. Stucco is porous and it needs to breathe. Painting the surface of fresh stucco will trap moisture between the waterproof membranes that separate the stucco from the walls of your home. This often results to paint peeling, bubbling or chipping as the moisture attempts to escape. Additionally, moisture could also collect at the base of the wall causing proliferation of mold and bacteria. You will typically need to wait for about 60 days for freshly applied stucco to cure and settle.
Don’t Paint Over Damaged Stucco.
Before painting your stucco, you first need to assess its condition. If it’s in good shape, you will typically need to pressure wash your exterior then apply the paint. However, if your siding is chipped, cracked or spalled, you will first need to repair it before painting. Fill small hairline cracks with elastomeric caulk using a caulk gun.
If there are large spots, use a thick stucco or concrete patching compound which is designed to hold longer. If you encounter any heavily damaged areas, you may need to fix them by applying a new layer of stucco or contact your stucco installer to help with the repair.
Choose the Best Products
Acrylic latex products are generally best on stucco because they’re easy to apply and you can effortlessly clean them with soap and water. You also get better coverage and good color retention, and this can be particularly important considering stucco is porous.
Generally, you will experience the best results using masonry paint. An example would be Sherwin Williams SherLastic, which is flexible, elastomeric coating designed to hide some hairline cracks and prevent water from penetrating into your home.
Choosing an acrylic latex paint or an elastomeric product formulated to resist blistering and peeling is the best option. These paints have high moisture resistance, and considering the porous nature of stucco, this property is highly welcomed. Elastomeric paints, in particular, have great elastic properties that allow them to evenly coat the nooks and crannies found on stucco.
The next best alternatives include penetrating masonry stains or clear finishes; they have the ability to penetrate and seal the gaps of a rough stucco surface.
Consult an Expert
If you have no other option but to do DIY stucco exterior painting, talk to a residential panting contractor or a professional at your local painting store for recommendations on the best products. Just keep in mind that using any other paint not designed for stucco will compromise your outcome.
If you need any professional help repainting your stucco home in San Diego, Ron Rice Painting & Consulting can help. Simply give us a call today so we can have a chat about your project.