7 Simple Steps for Painting Stucco Homes

Sometimes, your home exterior paint may begin to crack or tarnish. When this happens, painting stucco exterior is a great option to revive your home. Read on.

Like all exterior finishes though, stucco does require some TLC from time to time. Painting stucco homes at regular intervals keeps them looking fresh, and can really update the look of your home. Here’s how you can paint yours and get the best finish possible.

7 Steps for Painting Stucco Homes

Painting your stucco home exterior is an essential part of home maintenance. If you’re into DIY, then you can follow these simple 7 steps to painting stucco. If you are not very familiar with exterior home painting, you may want to call in a professional. They will be knowledgeable in all areas of painting, and may even offer protective services such as waterproofing.

To create a beautiful new home exterior, follow these 7 steps for painting your stucco home.

1. Inspect Your Home For Potential Issues

Before you start painting stucco, you’ll need to inspect it. If it’s been on your home for a while, you may need to do some small repairs. If small patches have come away, or have become damaged, it’s simple to do this yourself.

You can buy stucco repair kits that let you fill in these gaps and create a similar finish. If you do this, remember that you should only be doing this with a small area. If there are larger areas that need refinishing, you may need to call in a professional.

Once you’ve applied the repairs, leave them for 7 to 10 days in order to let it cure fully. This way, it’ll be fully ready for painting and won’t come away as you update the color.

2. Pressure Wash Your Walls

The exterior walls can pick up a lot of dirt and grime, even if you are regularly cleaning them. All sorts of things can contribute to it, such as stormy weather and traffic near your home. Because of this, you’re going to need to clean the walls before you can paint them. This will ensure that the paint sticks properly and looks as good as possible.

The best way to wash your walls is to pressure wash them. It’s a quick way to clean the walls, and thanks to the powerful spray, you’ll get all the dirt off before washing. You can get a good pressure washer from a hardware store or online, and they’re helpful around the house. It’s well worth investing in one now.

To pressure wash your walls, use a low pressure setting and a wide tip. Work from top to bottom to ensure all dirt is directed away from the walls, and it should be done in no time.

3. Remove Mold

Mold can appear on walls within weeks of them being painted. Before you begin painting stucco walls, you’re going to have to ensure there’s no mold left. If you find any, you can treat it with a mold removal solution.

Sponge the solution in to ensure it covers the entire area affected, and leave it on for as long as the directions state. Once it’s been removed and the area has dried, you’re ready to paint.

4. Use a Primer First

The best way to get paint to stick to your stucco is to use a good primer. This readies the walls for the finished coat of paint. The paint will stay looking good for longer, meaning you’ll have to spend less time painting it again.

Pick a primer that’s designed for your walls. For example, if your stucco is stained, you can buy a stain blocking primer. This will stop the stains from bleeding through into the final layer of paint.

An exterior waterproof primer is also a great idea, as it will stop damp from coming through your walls. It’s a good first defense, so choose your primer carefully. Ensure you paint the entire area with a primer, and give it ample time to dry before you go on to the next layer. This will ensure it’s totally dry and ready to act as an undercoat.

5. Pick A Painting Method

There are two main techniques for successfully painting stucco; with a roller or a sprayer. The one you pick will depend on your preferences and the condition of the stucco wall.

If the stucco isn’t too rough, then you can use a roller to apply paint. You’ll have to ensure that you’re using a thick nap roller, in order to get into all the crevices in the finish. The rougher the surface is, the thicker nap you’ll need. If you have to use a very thick nap roller, be aware that you may be using more paint in doing so.

If the surface is very rough, then a paint sprayer is the way to go. These are available to rent or buy, so you can pick one up quite easily. Sprayers actually offer an easier way to paint as they’re faster and spray evenly, giving you a professional looking finish.

When painting stucco, the method you pick will depend on how large the area is that you have to paint, and the time you have to do it. For larger areas, spraying is better. If you’re just covering a small area, you can easily tackle it with a roller.

6. Check the Weather Before You Paint

Before you start painting stucco walls and homes, check the weather forecast. You want, optimally, a few sunny days for your paint to be applied and dried. This is because water in paint can cause problems later on that you want to avoid.

For example, water can cause paint to peel off not long after being applied. If you’re careful, you can avoid these issues and have paint that cures properly.

7. Think About Reaching Higher Areas

If you have a multi-level home, you’ll need to reach higher areas in order to paint them properly. Think about how you’re going to do this before you start painting.

The best option is a stable ladder that will help you gain access to these areas. If your home is taller, then a ladder won’t do the job. You’ll need to rent scaffolding that will help you safely paint the highest areas of your walls.

Remember, safety first.

Conclusion

These tips will help you get the most out of painting stucco walls. Keep in mind, you can always tackle one or two of these steps and then call in the professionals. When you’re done, you’ll have a home that looks brand new and cared for.