Like many exterior surfaces, stucco can fade, especially when it’s exposed to direct sunlight. Quality paint can revive the look of your home’s stucco and give it a fresh, new appearance. To prepare your stucco surfaces for repainting, consider the following tips:
Pick the right color. Just like any surface (wood siding, for example), stucco can be repainted to suit your color preferences. If you want to achieve a darker shade than your original stucco color and the surface is in good shape, quality paint can usually provide the coverage you need in one coat. Painting a lighter shade over a darker tone may require two coats. When selecting a new color, don’t forget to coordinate with other exterior colors on your home, such as shingles and trim.
Choose the right paint. Most exterior paint products are formulated for application on a variety of surfaces, from wood siding to brick and stucco. Acrylic latex products perform the best on stucco—they’re easy to apply, clean up with soap and water, and offer good gloss and color retention. Make sure the paint you choose has the ability to breathe and allow internal moisture to escape while still being resistant to external water sources; is flexible and can move with the house without splitting at any temperature; resists dirt pick-up and mildew growth; and is resistant to chipping, chalking and peeling for maximum longevity.
Determine if you need a primer. If the surface of your stucco is in good shape with no exposed substrate, you probably don’t need a primer. However, if you need to make a lot of repairs, using a primer will add to the finish coat’s appearance and provide long-lasting results.
Make sure you have access to minor repair products. Elastomeric sealants and patches, for example, are flexible and minimize the chances that cracks will appear.
Clean the stucco before applying paint. Stucco must be intact, with no cracks or holes, for the paint to cling to it. Scrub the surface with a nylon brush and soapy water. If you’ve painted it before, you may need to remove the previous coat with a wire brush.
