Replies

1. 
   DonK | Aug 01, 2005 02:14pm | #1

   Doug - It depends on how the stucco was fastened to the "siding". (Why would someone go over redwood with stucco?)

   A good stucco job will be multiple coats over a wire lath. If the installer was lazy, the lath will not be nailed well and the mess will probably come off in big chunks (1-2 feet at a time). If it was an old job, chances are the lath was nailed to death. Then, it comes off in small pieces, 6" or less. You need to start a hole, then get a bar under the lath and pry it up. You may be able to put a piece of plywood under the bar, to try to prevent damage, but it's going to slow you down somewhat and given the redwood is so soft, there will be some damage. Some people like to get a grinder and cut through the stucco first, to score it. I personally don't see that as being necessary.

   I wish you lots of luck; don't forget to wear gloves. That wire will rip you up.

   Don  

1. 
   user-33091 | Aug 02, 2005 06:30am | #8

   The Portuguese community did it to save on maintenance and because they liked the look of stucco.  Thanks for the ideas.

   Doug

    

    

2. 
   JohnSprung | Aug 02, 2005 01:35am | #2

   Smash the stucco and cut the wire along vertical lines to divide it up into manageable widths, like maybe 4 - 6 ft.  Then let your friend gravity help you by peeling it off between those cuts from the top down.  Depending on the height of the building and how well the stucco hangs on, you might want to cut it horizontally to keep it from getting out of hand.

   Be prepared to find major problems with the siding under the stucco.  There has to be a reason somebody stuccoed over it, and they're not likely to have given a s--t about damaging it in the process.

    

   -- J.S.

    

1. 
   brownbagg | Aug 02, 2005 02:41am | #3

   BFH

1. 
   Piffin | Aug 02, 2005 04:26am | #5

   No problems with spelling in that post!
   ;) 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   IMERC | Aug 02, 2005 06:08am | #6

   plan "B" 

3. 
   user-33091 | Aug 02, 2005 06:41am | #9

   What's BFH?

1. 
   IMERC | Aug 02, 2005 07:33am | #10

   it's all in the size of the hammer.. 

3. 
   Pnut | Aug 02, 2005 02:59am | #4

   Doug--

   I am in the process of restoring an old Italianate--which had its original redwood siding covered in stucco...We are now close to completing the exterior and the original redwood siding looks great (BTW, when it comes to repairing and painting the siding, let me know if you want some pointers cuz this ol siding now looks great).

   The process I used was to take a air hammer (the cheap ones from Sears/OSH at about $29.00--don't get the "Husky" from HD) and a flat chisel...I used the air hammer to chip away at the stucco...

   It worked pretty well, the small chips fell to the ground, and then the chicken wire removed.  There was very little damage the redwood (although it looked like hell underneath).  Once you got the hang of it, it went pretty fast...I did have scaffolding so that helped too.  That being said, it is NOT an easy job.  I'm glad it is done.

   P

1. 
   user-33091 | Aug 02, 2005 06:23am | #7

   Thanks for the input.  Once the stucco was chipped away, did you cut the wire and pull it off in sections, or did you just chip all the stucco away and pull the wire away?

1. 
   Pnut | Aug 02, 2005 04:52pm | #11

   Doug,

   Once the stucco was removed, I then pulled off the wire--usually I'd have to pull a few of the nails holding the wire to get starte/get a good grip...then I'd pull the wire with my hands (gloves) and remove it--most of the nails came off this way too, but I did have to go back and pull a few too...

   The redwood underneath will probably look like hell, but I bet it is completely salvagable...

   Good luck