| Copyright © 2008 Christopher R. Prickett. All rights reserved worldwide |
If your stucco finish is fading, cracking, and flaking, its time for a new paint job.
An exterior re-paint is a big job, and may best be left to a licensed painting contractor. But
whetheryou decide to do-it-yourself, or hire a professional, here are some tips that will
start you off in the right direction:
Repair small cracks with an elastomeric sealant. A brushable type, as opposed to
caulking, will provide a more natural look. Wider movement cracks call for professional
repair that may include raking the cracks and filling them with a urethane sealant system
or other treatment. Movement cracks and other serious problems, such as loose framing,
cannot be cured by patches and paint, so be sure to seek professional assistance if that
is the case with your stucco.
If there are areas that require the application of new stucco, it’s important that the
repaired area is moistened during the curing process to minimize cracking. Repairs
should be shaded or covered in hot weather, and avoid any work if the temperature will
soon fall below 40 degrees
Contrary to what may seem like common sense, repairs should be done BEFORE
cleaning the stucco. This will help to minimize moisture getting into the cracks. As the last
step in surface prep, caulk around windows, doors, flashing, exterior light fixtures and
other protrusions.
Now it’s time to clean and prepare the stucco. One method of cleaning is light pressure
washing, possibly with a chemical cleaning agent. I emphasize LIGHT! The object is to
clean without damaging the stucco. If you find that the surface is chalky, crumbly or sandy
after cleaning, an acrylic based masonry surface conditioner should be applied to help
stabilize the stucco.
Choosing the paint and application method are extremely important. I recommend using a
high quality acrylic latex paint. Other choices include elastomeric and ceramic paints, but I’
m a bit hesitant to recommend those. I don’t claim to be a paint expert, but as a home
inspector I’ve witnessed the billion dollar synthetic stucco (aka EIFS) fallout. Stucco is a
concrete product and thus porous. The problems associated with EIFS revolved around
moisture intrusion and the inability of the material under the stucco to dry out. I’m not
convinced that elastomeric and ceramic paints don’t create a similar environment.
The choices of application are spraying, rolling, or a combination of the two. The trick with
painting stucco is in getting it to absorb the paint. Rolling is the best way, with the combo
method a close second. You spray the paint on and work it in with the roller. Take the time
to cover anything you don’t want spritzed!
An exterior re-paint is a big job, and may best be left to a licensed painting contractor. But
whetheryou decide to do-it-yourself, or hire a professional, here are some tips that will
start you off in the right direction:
Repair small cracks with an elastomeric sealant. A brushable type, as opposed to
caulking, will provide a more natural look. Wider movement cracks call for professional
repair that may include raking the cracks and filling them with a urethane sealant system
or other treatment. Movement cracks and other serious problems, such as loose framing,
cannot be cured by patches and paint, so be sure to seek professional assistance if that
is the case with your stucco.
If there are areas that require the application of new stucco, it’s important that the
repaired area is moistened during the curing process to minimize cracking. Repairs
should be shaded or covered in hot weather, and avoid any work if the temperature will
soon fall below 40 degrees
Contrary to what may seem like common sense, repairs should be done BEFORE
cleaning the stucco. This will help to minimize moisture getting into the cracks. As the last
step in surface prep, caulk around windows, doors, flashing, exterior light fixtures and
other protrusions.
Now it’s time to clean and prepare the stucco. One method of cleaning is light pressure
washing, possibly with a chemical cleaning agent. I emphasize LIGHT! The object is to
clean without damaging the stucco. If you find that the surface is chalky, crumbly or sandy
after cleaning, an acrylic based masonry surface conditioner should be applied to help
stabilize the stucco.
Choosing the paint and application method are extremely important. I recommend using a
high quality acrylic latex paint. Other choices include elastomeric and ceramic paints, but I’
m a bit hesitant to recommend those. I don’t claim to be a paint expert, but as a home
inspector I’ve witnessed the billion dollar synthetic stucco (aka EIFS) fallout. Stucco is a
concrete product and thus porous. The problems associated with EIFS revolved around
moisture intrusion and the inability of the material under the stucco to dry out. I’m not
convinced that elastomeric and ceramic paints don’t create a similar environment.
The choices of application are spraying, rolling, or a combination of the two. The trick with
painting stucco is in getting it to absorb the paint. Rolling is the best way, with the combo
method a close second. You spray the paint on and work it in with the roller. Take the time
to cover anything you don’t want spritzed!
| Painting Stucco |