How to Change an Exterior Stucco Wall Into an Interior Finish

Refinish a stucco wall using basic hardware supplies.

Walls covered in stucco look rustic and suitable for an exterior finish, but they might look too rough if you are planning to expand a section of your home and will now have a stucco exterior wall as an interior wall. A professional drywall installer can refinish the stucco wall to have an interior finish, but hiring a professional may not fit into your budget. Save money by refinishing a stucco wall yourself using a few basic and inexpensive hardware supplies.

Things You'll Need

• Sanding buffer
• Sanding rings: coarse, medium and fine-grit
• Shop vacuum
• Paint tray
• Primer
• Paintbrush, 3-inch flat
• Paint roller
• Waterproof latex paint

Instructions

1. Sand the entire surface of the stucco wall using a sanding buffer with a coarse-grit sanding ring. This will smooth down the textured surface of the stucco and remove any large areas of roughness.

2. Sand the surface of the wall using the sanding buffer with a medium-grit sanding ring. This will smooth the wall and balance out any areas that are uneven.

3. Sand the wall using the sanding buffer with a fine-grit sanding ring. This will create a sleek, soft surface similar to an interior sheet rock wall in your home.

4. Vacuum the wall and surrounding areas using a shop vacuum to remove the dust and debris caused by the sanding.

5. Fill a paint tray with primer, then coat a 3-inch flat paintbrush in the primer. Apply the primer onto the corners and top and bottom edges of the wall.

6. Coat a paint roller in the primer, then apply the primer over the entire surface of the wall. Allow the primer to dry for 12 to 18 hours.

7. Apply a layer of waterproof latex wall paint in the same manner as before, allowing the paint to dry for 12 to 18 hours. Apply additional coats if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply matte latex paint if you prefer a soft, flat finish, or apply glossy paint if you prefer a shiny finish on the wall.

• Keep sanding buffers out of the reach of children.

References

• Danny Lipford: Homeowner’s Guide to Paint Primer