Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 05, 1999 07:10pm | #1

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   Behr makes a paint specifically for stucco and block walls. I've brushed it on smooth stucco with good results. After 4 years, there is no sign of deterioration. A decent airless sprayer should be able to handle it. Home Depot carries Behr.

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   Brewskie | Feb 05, 1999 07:45pm | #2

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   There aint no sucha beast as a paint for stucco.

   Anytime you paint stucco you will trap moisture and eventually problems will arise.

   If you want to change the color of your house give it a "re-scrub". This is plasterers parlance for re-stucco.

   You can use the same tools that the original plasterers used to achieve the same texture.

   Brian Ewing

   http://www.ornamentalplaster.com

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   Fred_Matthews | Feb 05, 1999 08:25pm | #3

   *Not sure what part of country you're in, but here in So. CA, stucco is painted all the time with excellent results.

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   poux | Feb 05, 1999 11:06pm | #4

   *the stucco to be painted is in new york.

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   Brewskie | Feb 05, 1999 11:43pm | #5

   *I'm from Anaheim myself. It doesn't matter where you're from to do things wrong. It's bad to paint stucco whether you're on So. Cal or N.Y.Any experienced plasterer will tell you that it is not a good idea to paint your stucco.I have had to fix stucco that has been painted all the time. Currently I'm restoring c.1813 stucco that someone had painted. The handrails that lead into the stuccoed columns have rotted. The decking, where it leads into the stucco, has rotted and a slew of other problems caused by paint.Go ahead....if you don't believe me after my 25 years working with this stuff ask around..Brewskiewww.ornamentalplaster.com

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   Weasel | Feb 06, 1999 12:01am | #6

   *I painted my stone dash stucco house in 1992 using Pratt and Lambert latex primer and Aqua Royal as a top coat. I rolled and brushed it on as the supplier said a sprayer would not get it into all the crevices etc. and the adhesion would be better. After one big pile of work (and cash outlay), the results were terrific and I would do it again. I have seen lots of painted stucco here in Alberta and I am sure Brewskie has some valid points which you should consider.If you do it, be sure the paint you use is designed to breathe or you will almost be guaranteed of moisture problems; of which mildew and peeling could be the least.

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   Ken_McCulloch | Feb 06, 1999 01:51am | #7

   *Excuse me for sounding really stupid but are you all talking about a stucco exterior on a house or building? If so, the comment to never paint stucco sounds a bit off. Is this to say that you should leave the stucco without any coating at all? Or does this mean that you should add a new color coat of stucco each time you re-paint? I know for a fact that you can't get a final inspection without having a coat of paint on new stucco. The idea of special paint that breaths for stucco sounds like a great idea but I doubt if this product was engineered as far back as stucco itself. I am confused about some of the responses. Please help me understand!Thanks, ken

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   Guest_ | Feb 06, 1999 03:25am | #8

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   Ken - I've never heard of putting a coat of paint on new stucco. Stucco is meant to be the finish. The color is integral to the stucco process. But I am referring to real stucco, not the synthetic stuff or the sheathing with stucco texture. Around here stucco is quite common and most of teh peopel have it patched and wash coated every 20-30 years. A few have it painted every 5 to 10 and then after a number of repaintings put up vinyl.

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   tom_h | Feb 07, 1999 02:00am | #9

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   In Calif, it is normal to repaint stucco.

   One has to use exterior, flat finish, LATEX paint, one coat usually enough but sometimes two (especially if changing color). Latex paint "breathes" (no moisture buildup occurs) & is flexible.

   I've never used, or heard of, or seen anyone apply primer over the stucco color coat. A primer that has "primer-sealer" qualities sounds bad - it might negate the breathability of the stucco / latex paint.

   (although I suppose if trying to cover graffiti, a sealer might have to be used to spot seal markings that would otherwise bleed through a latex top coat)

   I lived in stucco houses for 40 years that have periodically been repainted, there is NO problem if the basic rules of paint prep are followed, and if latex paint is used.

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   Brewskie | Feb 07, 1999 02:30am | #10

   *Tomh,It may be normal for the amatuer in Cal to paint their stucco but to those educated in stucco it's a different story.I really can't believe that just since I've lived there, 12 years ago, that people have given up on rescrubs. I have done dozens of them.......so many of them that I would say that rescrubs are (maybe were) more the norm.I remember back in apprenticeship training in the mid 70's (Long Beach City College) they preached to us about the reasons not to ever paint stucco. If the union were still around I would wager that they would still be preaching this.Besides all the reasons mentioned before in this thread there is also the issue of color itself.Stucco has a depth of color that painting could never match.After your house has been painted it looks like you might as well have put up plywood and painted it. It's almost as bad that EIFS lawsuit-waiting-to-happen junk. The monotone color that painting has will degrade the aesthetic value of stucco.Compare any building that has been painted with one that has the original stucco and see for yourself. Painting gives stucco a monotonous faux look.If you were to do this and make a comparison you would see that painting stucco is not such a good idea just based on the color issue alone.BrewOrnamentalPlaster.com

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   Fred_Matthews | Feb 09, 1999 10:50am | #11

   *Brewskie:I'm sure you're a great plasterer and all, but the only people who have told me stucco can't be painted are plasterers. Yet all the stucco here in San Diego co. is painted and it performs as well as the wood siding that is painted with no moisture problems. I've worked in construction most of my life and this is true: b Any masonry can be painted and perform well provided one uses quality, appropriate products.Beyond that, its a matter of economics for me. I can paint my house myself, I'm not going to call a plasterer to "re-scrub" my house.Next point: Of course the union preaches that you re-scrub! That keeps their members working. This isn't a slam agianst unions, I was a card carrying UBC&J member for 10 years.Finally, insofar as the "aesthetic" value of stucco, I live in suburban So. CA tract housing-there is no "aesthetic" stucco in this construction. I'm not saying that stucco, properly applied, cannot look good in its natural state, I'm sure it looks great-but I'm forced to deal with what I've got-which is not particuarly aesthetically pleasing, just a quick way to cover a house. And my house needs to be painted occasionally.

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   Brewskie | Feb 12, 1999 10:32am | #12

   *FredYour house needs to be painted occassionally?If you were to have started out re-scrubing your house, instead of painting it, you wouldn't have had to paint it so much.A good coat of stucco can out last any amount of paint you put on.I lived in the San Diego area for awhile myself (Mira Mesa, La jolla and Escondido). I don't remember so many houses being painted.It's not only plasterers that will tell you not to paint stucco. Ask preservation/restoration experts. Or the manufacturers of the stucco products. Unless their sellin this paint stuff they'll tell you that you shouldn't.Now, San Diego does have a very dry climate. It is not as bad there then most any place else in the country. The moisture argument may be moot for your area. However, it is not fair to others, who live in far wetter climates, to proclaim that it is ok or even preffered to paint their houses in all cases. Not everyone lives in Eutopia.Regarding you comment about aesthetic stucco in San Diego Co..... you're right. I have seen work there that I wouldn't wish done to my worst enemy!Brian EwingOrnamentalPlaster.Com

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   poux | Feb 24, 1999 08:56pm | #13

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   I'm thinking of using a sprayer to paint my "mashed potato" stucco house. First i'm going to power wash to remove all the flaking paint. Someone at the paint store suggested I use 2 coats of latex with no primer. Any pointers?

6. 
   Guest_ | Feb 24, 1999 08:56pm | #14

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   Throughout this discussion I don't see any mention of applying another coat of stucco over existing paint. What preparation needs to be done other than a thorough washing? This "re-scrubbing" you guys are talking about sounds fine, but what prep do you do to the existing stucco? If it has been painted, I would think this might cause problems of adhesion.