STUCCO-Can it be painted?

[Huskie]

I'm wondering if stucco can effectively be painted or is it better to get the exterior re stuccoed. I'v heard that they have much better paint now for that type of application and provided the exterior is properly prepared it is doable. I've seen some examples however where the paint starts peeling in a few years. Does anyone have any opinion or experience with this topic? How is the cost, I would have it done by a paint contractor. Thanks.

[FishLocker]

Do not know of a paint that will not peel, no matter what the warrantee may state. Stucco is basically concrete and wicks moisture from the house so the paint does not stick. I would have it properly re-dashed, and you can re-dash in a different color or have it highlighted in 2-tone. I have heard of some using stain to change the color and not affect the stucco's breathability, but I do not know what they used.

Here is a short article by Bob Vila that includes 4 recoating options at the bottom.

http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Refinishing_Stucco-Stucco_Walls-A2557.html

[mcgarth]

yes you can paint it without any problems.

[jeffreyd]

my house as well as every other house here in phoenix is stucco and they are all painted. i am thinking of having my painted over the winter. biggest thing is it needs to be clean. you need a power washer to get the deep dirt etc off. let it dry a day or so then go over any cracks with white caulking, fill in the cracks and voids wipe off extra let dry a few hours and spray. the guy i am using sprays it on then comes behind right away and uses a roller. that way if there are any light spots you can hit them again. good luck

[FishLocker]

Last I looked, Phoenix has a slightly different climate than Minnesota ...especially in the winter when it is bone dry outside and we are humidifying inside (my grand parents used to keep their garden hose full of water and hooked to the spigot all winter long--in Phoenix) (again, I do not know of a paint that will wick and dry as quickly as stucco-which will cause problems with paint adhearing)...check the Bob Vila video and do some more research with Stucco companies rather than people that want to paint your house and are in severe need of business to pay the bills.

Good luck.

[wormdunker]

Had our stucco painted 12 years ago. No runds no drips no peeling. I live in Minnesota.

[Getanet]

We helped pain my Grandma's stucco house in WI about 10 years ago. It seemed to hold up fine. My only piece of advice - if you're going to paint yourself purchase or rent a paint sprayer. Stucco really soaks up the paint, so if you use brushes or rollers you'll be going back for more paint all the time.

[Jim Almquist]

I had a stucco house that need some TLC so I called around and what most said to do was a re-dash which is like a lite stucco job. If you paint the stucco all you can do is keep painting it but if it ever needs repair that is when your issues will begin.

[Chad Peterson]

You can paint it, but I had a house that was Stucco and I use a colored concrete wash and it turned out beautiful. You want to mix it to a buttermilk thickness and apply with a 3"brush for large area's and a detailed brush for area's around window's etc.

Sniffer

[bigdog]

I sprayed mine with Latex paint 21 years ago, two coats. Have not had a problem yet.

[dougger222]

A good friend of mine painted his stucco a few years ago. Was looking at his neighbors roof a couple weeks ago and commented on how nice it looked.

[mcgarth]

maybe Fishlocker should ask his buddie BOB Vila.

[Joe]

You are Looking for an elastomeric paint. This paint is thicker than latex. It will go on thicker and the elasomeric paint stays flexable which on minnesota stucco is the key. I have painted a few houses that are stucco and I wouldn't use anything but elasomeric.