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can you paint permastone?

kb | Posted in General Discussion on May 17, 2011 01:29am

I have a building that is stucco on top and permastone on the bottom.  I want to paint the exterior for a couple of reasons but I am not sure if it is wise…does this type of siding need to breathe? Would painting it create a problem? Has anyone painted permastone before and if so, do you have a paint you recommend? The permastone seems to expand and contract and has developed cracks that I have filled with a flexible cement colored caulk.

I don’t really want to remove the permastone, it would look very good if I could just change the color (and therefore camoflouge the repaired cracks as well)

Any help or advice would be appreciated. I searched the archives for permastone and didn’t come up with much.

Thanks,

kb

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  1. kb | May 17, 2011 07:33pm | #1

    what about epoxy paint?

    Is there some kind of epoxy coating that can be used?

  2. DanH | May 17, 2011 07:53pm | #2

    There are a dozen different products named "PermaStone" -- you'll have to describe what it is you have.  Is like rough stone, polished marble, ceramic tile, what?  Any idea how thick it is?

  3. kb | May 18, 2011 10:13pm | #3

    permastone dilemma

    Permastone was used alot in the 50's as a siding alternative for new or existing construction. It is applied in two layers. The first layer is attached to wire substrate and scored. The second layer is applied to the first and troweled, formed, and colored to look like individual stones. It is approximately 1/2-1'' thick. It is cement-like material so the finish is rough like sandpaper.

    The reason I want to coat it or paint it is due to the numerous vertical cracks. Repaired or unrepaired, they are so conspicous because the cracks go through different colored "stones" and are very obvious. To match each stone would be time consuming and labor intensive and every year new cracks would need to be repaired again. If I caulk the cracks and re-coat or paint the siding one color - it would be alot less labor intensive at first and each time a new crack develops.

    I am attaching a picture. You can see one of the cracks above the left side of the window. This house was built in 1900 and re-done in the 50's. The foundation is stone. There doesn't appear to be any major problems with the foundation that would be causing these cracks. It could be shifting and settling a bit, but this siding probably also shrinks and contracts with the temperature changes.

    I think that a elastomer paint like what is used on stucco is a possibility. I just don't have any information that I can find anywhere on what would be safe and appropriate for this kind of siding. I don't want to do something that will lead to a worse problem down the road.

    Thanks,

    kb

    1. DanH | May 18, 2011 11:21pm | #4

      I don't believe you've said where this is, and climate makes some difference.

      You probably want a relatively "flat" paint for appearance purposes.

      Likely the stone and paint both will hold up better if the paint can "breathe" to a degree.

      Your best bet would be to consult with a good paint store (not a "big box").  Most Sherwin Williams stores have good help, or, better, look for a good independent store.  An independent store that carries Benjamin Moore paint is likely a good bet.

      I think epoxy would be a bad idea from several standpoints.

      1. kb | May 20, 2011 11:37pm | #5

        seems no one really knows...

        I am in a mixed climate= Pennsylvania. Hot, humid summers - cold wet winters. I spoke to the local independent paint dealer already - he is very knowledgable and has helped me on many other projects. He has never worked with permastone before - and I am unable to find anyone that has any experience with it...

        1. DanH | May 21, 2011 07:47am | #6

          Well, from your description it's much like "real" stucco, and probably could be painted the same way.  In general, real stucco must be painted with something that can "breathe".  In addition, it needs a coating with some flexibility.  The "elastomeric" paints obviously have the flexibility, but, without knowing more, I'd question their breatheability.  Acrylic latex, in the flatter sheens, has reasonable flexibility and good breatheability.

          One problem is that when someone talks about painting stucco you don't know, without detailed questioning, if they're talking real stucco or one of several immitations -- they need to be handled entirely differently.

          1. kb | May 21, 2011 04:57pm | #7

            just looked through the archives and found this...very helpful info on a stucco application called fogcoat. I am posting the link and maybe someone else has tried this to know how it worked.  http://www.fogcoat.com/

            left a message with the company (closed for ther weekend)...so I will let you know what they say. Thanks for the input and enjoy the sun if you see it!

            kb

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