How to Repair and Repaint Stucco

Stucco is a decorative surface made from a mixture of aggregate, binder and water. It is a versatile material that can be easily shaped and applied when it is in its wet form. It becomes very hard and resistant when it is dry. It is used as an exterior and interior coating in architecture and interior design. Like all materials, stucco tends to develop cracks and deteriorate over time. Fortunately, you can repair and repaint stucco surfaces. Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

• Broom
• Brush
• Chisel or screwdriver
• Canned air
• Caulk gun
• Caulk
• Sponge
• Mortar
• Garden hose
• Plastic bucket
• Paddle tool
• Trowel
• PVA glue
• Bitumen-coated fiberglass cloth
• Paint roller
• Primer
• Paint
• Wide paintbrush

Instructions

1. Remove loose stucco and dust the rest of the surface with a broom and a thick brush. Pry out the dirt from the insides of the bigger cracks and holes with a chisel or screwdriver. Use a can of compressed air to remove the dust and dirt inside the cracks.

2. Apply caulk in small and thin cracks, using a caulk gun. Press the caulk in the hole with your fingers and use a damp sponge to remove the excess material around the crack. Let the caulk set for an hour.

3. Wet the whole stucco wall surface. Use a garden hose to spray the wall or rub the wall with a wet sponge or a sponge broom. The stucco surface should be soaked and saturated with water.

4. Make a mortar mix in a shallow bucket. Use a paddle tool or a trowel to mix the mortar.

5. Apply PVA glue on the damaged area, where the stucco crumbled away and in the bigger cracks. The glue will create a patch. Wait for two to three minutes for the glue to dry. Fill the cracks or coat the area around the cracks with mortar. Then apply a bitumen-coat fiberglass cloth layer on the same area, as well. Press the whole patch with a paint roller and let it dry.

6. Apply primer on the stucco surface. If you apply primer only on the damaged areas, the difference in tone and finish will be obvious. Let the primer coat dry completely.

7. Paint the whole stucco wall with a paint roller or a wide paintbrush. Again, painting only the damaged area will result in an uneven look, so it is best to paint the whole wall.

Tips & Warnings

• Many finishes and paints are available for stucco walls, including lime washes, fog coats, thick-textured paints, mineral paints and many others.

• You might also want to use an acrylic elastomer spray on the entire stucco surface. It closes the thinnest cracks and works similarly as a sealer.

• Always wear rubber gloves when working with masonry materials and tools to avoid hurting or drying your hands.