Can I Paint My Stucco? What Kind of Paint Should I Use?

Stucco is an incredibly durable, versatile product, and it has been a popular building material from Los Angeles to New York to Florida for over 100 years. The problem with enduring materials, however, is that tastes, trends, and styles don’t last nearly so long, leaving many homeowners wondering what they can do change the color of their stucco exteriors. The simple answer is, “Yes, you can paint your stucco.”

How Should I Prepare Stucco for Paint?

Dust and dirt must be removed from the stucco surface. A stiff bristle push broom is often sufficient to accomplish this task, but if the stucco has a deep texture, you may have to use a power washer. A masonry-compatible caulking can be used to fill in hairline cracks in the stucco. Putty knives can be used first to remove loose debris from larger cracks, and then the dry stucco repair product can be mixed with water and applied as directed on the package.

Painting stucco after allowing it to cure for 7 to 10 days is recommended. Stucco repair products contain instructions that indicate how long to wait before using them.

What Type of Paint Should I Use for Stucco?

One of the most popular products for painting stucco home exteriors is elastomeric paint. This clay-based product is waterproof and flexible. The fact that it is waterproof means that it will prevent the stucco from absorbing moisture, which could become trapped and cause mold and rot in the home. The flexibility means that it will expand and move along with the material underneath, so if hairline cracks develop, the elastomeric paint will stretch and continue to cover the spot.

An additional benefit to elastomeric paint here in Southern California is that it is fire-retardant, and some insurance companies will even give a discount or bonus for applying it to your home or business. Use a lighter color to reflect sunlight and keep your home cooler.

Different Methods to Painting

Some homeowners prefer to color and seal their stucco in other ways. One option is to use a penetrating sealer with an added colorant. Others will apply another thin coat of stucco to the surface, again with a colorant added. These options work well if the house has not been previously painted.

How Should I Apply Paint to Stucco?

When painting stucco, spraying is the preferred application method. It is too labor-intensive to use a brush, and a roller is not effective at getting paint into all the crevasses in the stucco.

Do I Need to Prime Stucco Before Painting?

A good, alkali-resistant primer will help your coating provide greater performance. It also acts as an intermediary between the stucco and coating, preventing moisture from soaking into the coating and causing stains.

If you live in the Santa Clarita Valley or anywhere in the Los Angeles region, ALLBRiGHT 1-800-PAINTING Painting would be happy to give you a free evaluation and estimate for painting the stucco on your home. As one of SoCal’s premier painting contractors, we have a long list of delighted customers.

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