Stucco is everywhere in San Diego. Spanish homes, bungalows, condos and small commercial buildings all use it. It’s a tough surface, but it needs care when it’s time to paint.
Here’s how I think about it, from the first look to the last coat.
What stucco is
Stucco is a cement-based plaster that’s applied in layers over a frame or wall. It has texture, and that texture is porous. It soaks up water and paint. That’s why prep and primer matter so much.
Start with the cracks
Walk around the house and look for cracks. Hairline cracks are common. Stucco shifts a little as the house settles and as temperatures change. Wider cracks, or cracks that line up with a window corner or a door, deserve a closer look. They can let water in.
Small cracks get filled with a flexible patching material or caulk made for stucco, not a hard filler that will crack again. If a crack keeps growing, or the stucco sounds hollow when you tap it, that’s a repair for a plaster or stucco specialist before any painting. I’d rather tell you that than cover it up.
Wash it first
Stucco collects dust, dirt, mildew and, near the coast, a film of salt. Paint won’t stick well to any of that. The wall needs a good wash, and then it needs time to dry. Stucco holds moisture, so don’t rush this step. Painting over a damp wall is how you end up with peeling and blisters.
Prep the details
- Scrape or sand any loose or flaking paint
- Patch holes and chips
- Caulk around windows, doors and trim
- Mask and cover windows, plants, walkways and fixtures
Primer matters
Bare or patched stucco is thirsty. Primer seals it and gives the paint something to grip. Spots that are chalky, patched or new usually need it. A good primer also helps the finish coat look even, instead of patchy where the patches are.
Choosing the coating
Many homeowners ask about elastomeric coatings. These are thick, flexible coatings that can bridge hairline cracks and add a layer of water resistance. They can be a good fit for some stucco walls. They also have trade-offs. They’re thick, and they can trap moisture if it’s already in the wall. So the wall must be sound and dry first. Standard exterior acrylic paints are also a good choice on many homes. The best choice depends on the wall’s condition. I’m happy to look at yours and tell you what I’d use.
Rolling or spraying
Stucco’s texture is deep, so a thin coat of paint rolled on can leave small pinholes. A thick-nap roller pushes paint into the texture. Spraying covers a large area quickly and reaches into the texture well. But spray on its own can leave the coat thin in spots.
Often the best answer is both. Spray to cover, then roll right behind it so the paint gets worked into the surface. On a windy day, spraying isn’t a good idea, since overspray travels.
Coastal salt
Salt air is hard on stucco and on paint. Near the beach, I’d suggest rinsing walls with fresh water from time to time, and checking the paint each year for chalking, fading and cracks. A little care keeps small issues from growing.
Bringing it together
A good stucco job comes down to the steps before the paint: crack repair, a clean and dry wall, primer, and the right coating applied with enough material. See our exterior painting page for what we do. To talk about your house, call me at (858) 333-2396 for a free estimate, or use the contact page.
FAQ
Do I need to wash stucco before painting?
Yes. Stucco collects dust, mildew and, near the coast, salt. Paint doesn’t bond well to a dirty surface. After washing, let the wall dry fully before painting, since stucco holds moisture and damp walls can lead to peeling or blisters later.
Can you paint over cracks in stucco?
Hairline cracks can be filled with a flexible patching product and then painted. Wider or growing cracks, or hollow-sounding areas, may mean a repair is needed first. Painting over them without fixing the cause will let the problem return.
Is it better to spray or roll stucco?
Each has a place. Spraying covers quickly and reaches into the texture, while rolling works the paint in. Many jobs use both: spray first, then back-roll right away. Wind is a reason to roll instead of spray.