Painting Stucco The Right Way

Stucco exteriors lend a home a unique and highly attractive appearance--so long as their paint job remains fresh. Unfortunately, as many homeowners learn the hard way, painting a stucco wall differs from painting other types of cladding. If your home has a stucco exterior in need of fresh paint, read on. This article will arm you with three tips to help ensure your painting efforts are a success.

Start by washing the stucco with a pressure washer.

You should always begin any painting project by thoroughly cleaning the surface. If you do not, grime and dirt will prevent the paint from adhering properly. This can increase the likelihood of peeling and flaking affecting the surface prematurely. It is important to be aware that stucco requires a more intensive cleaning effort than smooth walls, thanks to the profusion of crooks and crannies.

A pressure washer is by far the best tool to use when cleaning a stucco wall. Sponges and wet rags are not only more time consuming cleaning aids, but they are more likely to leave behind traces of dirt. With a pressure washer, you can ensure that each nook and cranny is completely clean. Don't over do it, however, or you could end up damaging your stucco with the force of the pressure washer. Test on a small area before moving on to the rest of the wall.

Apply your paint with a sprayer.

In much the same way as a pressure washer increases the ease and effectiveness of cleaning a stucco wall, so a paint sprayer will guarantee the best results when applying your paint. Just be sure that you appropriately prepare the area before turning on your sprayer. Cover decorative elements such as window and door frames, and cover nearby plants with disposable plastic drop cloths.

Use a paint roller with a thick nap.

While a paint sprayer will always be the most effective means of painting stucco, it isn't appropriate in all situations. Chances are you will find yourself needing to apply paint by hand with a paint roller. In such situations, it is important to be aware that the roller you use will need to be different than the type of roller you would utilize to paint a completely smooth wall.

Smooth walls are best painting with a roller with a low nap. The nap, in case you don't know, refers to the fuzzy fabric on the exterior of the roller. In order to get paint into all of the hollows on a stucco surface, it is important to use a roller with a nap of at least 3/4".

For a professional touch, work with a company like Yu1 Painting Company.

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