How to Paint the Exterior of a Stucco House

Use an acrylic masonry primer when painting stucco.

Stucco is an exterior coating that contains an aggregate that provides houses with an attractive texture. If you would like to change the appearance of the stucco finish on your home, achieve your goal by refinishing it with paint. Unfortunately, stucco is not suited for adhesion and will reject paint unless it is pretreated with base primer. Choose a specific type of primer, or you may end up with a flaking finish. Choose a paint formulated for exterior surfaces, or the finish will fade and crack.

Things You'll Need

• Pressure washer
• Low-pressure tip
• Heavy-duty fabric drop cloths
• Professional painter's tape
• Masking paper
• Acrylic masonry primer
• Roller frame
• 2 1-1/2-inch-nap roller covers
• Roller extension pole
• 3-inch nylon paintbrush
• Acrylic latex paint
• Elastomeric paint
• Ladder

Instructions

1. Wash the stucco house, using a pressure washer stocked with a low-pressure tip. Allow three to four hours for the stucco to dry.

2. Cover areas adjacent to the stucco exterior with masking paper and painter's tape. Protect the ground with drop cloths.

3. Coat the stucco exterior with acrylic masonry primer, using a roller equipped with a 1-1/2-inch-nap roller cover and an extension pole. Roll the stucco in a vertical motion, proceeding from your left to your right. Use a nylon paintbrush to coat each awkward area that is inaccessible to a roller. Allow the stucco exterior to dry for two hours.

4. Wash your painting tools with water.

5. Paint the stucco house just as you primed it. Apply an acrylic latex or elastomeric paint, using a new, clean 1-1/2-inch-nap roller cover. Allow the stucco exterior to dry for two hours.

Tips & Warnings

• If necessary, use a ladder to access high portions of the stucco exterior.

• Don't paint an unprimed stucco exterior, or flaking will result.

• Don't use a synthetic polyester paintbrush on a stucco house, as these brushes are not intended for rough surfaces.

• Read the safety guide on the side of the ladder before use.