How to Apply Stucco Netting

Stucco netting is applied over a felt backing, with the felt backing applied over a a wooden frame.The metal stucco netting, sometimes called mesh, is held in place with simple galvanized roofing nails. It is not vital that the netting lies flat against the felt. If the netting sticks out from the wall a bit this will give the first scratch coat of stucco something to more firmly grasp onto.You will be putting two coats of stucco on your wall. The first coat is known as a scratch coat. The second coat will be your finish coat.

Things You'll Need

• 15-pound roofing felt
• Stucco netting (metal)
• Hammer
• Nails
• Trowels
• Mixing tub
• Stucco

Instructions

1. Remove all nails or other sharp objects from the frame that will be covered with stucco.

2. Cover frame with 15-pound roofing felt. Attach the felt with small nails. Use plenty of nails so that the felt is tight and does not sag.

3. Attach the 17-gauge galvanized stucco netting to the wall on top of the felt using roofing nails. If covering a large area buy 150 foot long rolls of netting so that there are as few seams as possible on your wall. Cut the stucco netting with standard metal snips. Do not overlap the netting if your wall requires more than one row of netting. Make sure the rows of netting butt up against each other firmly. It is not important that the metal netting lie perfectly flat against your wall.

4. Once the metal netting is nailed to the wall it is time for the first coat of stucco, known as the scratch coat. The scratch coat of stucco should be approximately 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick and should be forced into the netting. After the first scratch coat has dried slightly it is time to use a trowel (rake) to make long thin scratch marks in the surface of the scratch coat. Occasionally mist your scratch coat as it dries in order to slow the drying process. Mist more often in hot weather and less often if conditions are cool and overcast. Allow the scratch coat to dry for at least 36 to 48 hours.

5. Apply the final coat of stucco over the scratch coat with a trowel. The final coat should be 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick. The final coat can be colored or natural--stucco can be painted after drying. Know ahead of time what type of finish you want for your stucco wall and have the correct trowel for the finish you have chosen. Mist the wall occasionally as it dries to prolong the drying time for a harder and more durable wall. Mist more often in hot dry weather and less often if temperatures are cool. Allow to cure for at least 48 hours before painting.

Tips & Warnings

• Finish the complete scratch coat on one wall before beginning a second wall.

• The same applies for the final coat--complete one wall before starting the next.

• Misting the walls to prolong the drying time increases the strength of the stucco.