How to Paint a Stucco Wall

Stucco is a durable building material which lasts for many years. Often the surface is kept its natural color or pigment is mixed into the stucco when it is applied. It's possible to paint a stucco wall if it gets dingy. If you do this you'll have to paint it again every few years.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paint
• Paint roller
• Roller pan

Get Ready to Paint the Stucco Wall

1. Inspect the wall for cracks in the stucco. Small cracks will be filled in with the paint but larger cracks will need to be filled with an elastomeric sealant.

2. Scrub the wall with soap and water to get rid of dust, dirt, mildew and loose paint.

3. Prepare the area for painting by removing fixtures, covering areas you don't want painted with masking tape and putting a drop cloth on the floor.
   

4. Select a paint. Acrylic latex paint formulated for stucco is the best choice. Be sure to use exterior paint for an exterior wall.
   

Paint the Stucco Wall

5. Fill up a roller pan with the paint.

6. Dip a paint roller into a roller pan full of paint and get it pretty saturated. If the roller is full of paint the paint will get into the rough surface of the stucco more easily.

7. Start from the top of the wall and roll down in a straight column. Then roll up. Next, shift a bit to the left or right and start a new column overlapping with the old one.

8. Go over your work to cover any missed spots as the paint starts to run out.

9. Load the roller with paint and start painting again.

10. Clean up when you're done.

Tips & Warnings

• The best way to paint a stucco wall is with a thick paint roller. A rough stucco wall will require a 1 to 11/2 inch thick roller cover. You can also rent or buy a paint sprayer but you'll probably have to touch up with a roller. A paint brush will be frustrating to use if the wall is rough.
• It's a good idea to prime or seal the wall, especially if it's new. Primer goes on just like paint. It seals the surface and gives the paint something to grab onto.
• A newly built wall needs to cure for 90 days before it is painted.

[mommyhen42]

on 6/6/2009 That's probally where things went wrong here... The house was painted a day or two after it was finished being built by the contractor... I need to seal 2 portions of the outer was as these two sections seem to grab hold of and keep moisture for days after a good rain. 5*