How to Paint a Stucco Wall

Painting stucco can be a special challenge. Although it is rarely used nowadays, if you have an older home, you will likely encounter this rough, pebbly surface on the outside of your house. The texture of the stucco makes it extremely difficult to paint properly and it can be hard to get it looking nice again.

Since most stucco appears on older homes, it tends to be in a state of disrepair and quite dusty. You may find that bits have chipped away, leaving the old grayish white of the plain material underneath and causing unsightly scars in the wall. Spider webs are another common problem, attracting even more dust and looking quite ugly. You will need to thoroughly clean the walls before applying paint.

Cleaning the walls can be a delicate procedure, depending on the age of the stucco. Older stucco tends to chip off and fall away and it isn't suitable to common cleaning methods such as water blasting. You definitely need to clean the wall before you even consider painting, though.

Perhaps the best way to start is to use a hose with a spray nozzle to spray off excess dust and get rid of loose pebbles and bits of stucco. This can take some time, but don't be tempted to use anything stronger than the regular water pressure, as it could damage your home. After rinsing one wall down, examine it to see how effective the wash was. If there is still a heavy layer of dust, you will need to go a step further.

Get a broom-style brush on an extendable handle. Using a mild soap and water, scrub the wall gently until the dirt comes off. Don't be surprised to see bits of stucco fall off, too. This is normal and is usually just the stuff loosened over the years. If too much starts to come down, stop and consult a professional cleaner.

Once the walls are all cleaned, you will need to let them dry before painting. If there are discolored spots or you are painting a light color over dark, you will want to do a base coat of primer paint, first. Top this off with a couple of coats of your preferred color. Stucco can be difficult to paint, but a thick furred paint roller is the best way to go unless you can afford a pressure painter which will evenly coat the entire wall. Otherwise, the fur on the roller with get into the cracks and crevices for a more even coloring. Doing two coats of paint is the ideal way to make sure you fill in all the holes.

While painting stucco can be a pain in the neck, it is far easier than refinishing the entire exterior of your home. With careful preparation and the right tools, you should be able to achieve great results.