How to Prepare Stucco For Painting

A painted stucco finish is both attractive and durable, but regular maintenance is important. Dan Schaefer is founder of Providence Renovation, LLC, a residential and commercial restoration, and remodeling company based in Phoenix. He talks here about how you can prepare stucco for painting.

Stucco is made of a binder, water and an aggregate, and it is applied when wet then cures as it dries. New stucco needs a curing time of at least 30 days. This allows the pH level to equalize. Paint will fail if it is applied before the pH level equalizes, so it needs to be sufficiently hydrated during the first few days of curing before it is painted.

Old stucco, meaning stucco that is already in existence but needing a new paint job, should be power-washed before paint is applied and allowed to dry for at least 24 hours if not more. Just use water to clean it as no detergent is necessary.

Products are available for stucco patching and repair that are non-cement based, which do not require a curing time. The cement based products have a pH level. But if you want to make repairs, use the non-cement based repair products so you can then paint immediately.

Repairing Cracks in Stucco

Cracks in stucco no larger than a 16^th of an inch can be repaired with what is called stucco patch. Larger cracks should be cleaned with a metal tool and then additional stucco material fortified with masonry glue should be applied to those large cracks. If the stucco wall is unsound or unstable, it should be removed and stucco reapplied before painting.

Modern paint for stucco should not require a primer application. Paint can be applied directly to stucco and two coatings or more are recommended. If the pH level is unknown on the stucco, paint stores offer a pH test kit that is easy to use. If the pH level is too high, it will fail.

To equalize it ,you have to wash with water and wait at least 30 days. It really depends on how much lyme you use, which is the agent that creates the heightened pH level and is a drying agent used in concrete products.