Yes, you can paint stucco when the wall is sound. Use an acrylic latex made for masonry so the wall can still breathe. Prime bare stucco first, and buy more paint than flat siding would need, because you are coating texture.
The part almost nobody tells you is when not to paint it at all.
Stucco is a hard exterior finish made of cement, sand and lime, troweled over metal lath or masonry in layers. It lasts for decades, but its color fades and its surface cracks and stains. That is when the painting question comes up.
We’re HBP, a family-owned exterior painting company in O’Fallon, Missouri, in business since 1983. Would you rather hire a professional company to paint your stucco? In greater St. Louis, the consultation is free. Current offers are on our painting deals page.
Doing it yourself? This guide covers why to paint stucco, which paints and tools to use, and how to apply them. Read when stucco is not a paint job before you buy anything.
The Central Debate: Can You Paint Stucco?
Stucco is built to last with little upkeep. Even so, years of sun and weather wear it down.
Fading color, hairline cracks, staining near windows: these can all detract from your home’s curb appeal. This is where a fresh coat of stucco paint enters the picture.
Done right, paint protects stucco from sun and weather, and it gives the house a fresh look.
There are arguments against it too. Some worry paint stops stucco from breathing and traps moisture. A good acrylic latex lets water vapor pass through, so the worry belongs to the wrong paint.
Others point to the upkeep. Revel Painting, a painting company, puts repainting at every 5 to 10 years. Bob Vila says a good exterior job should last 15 to 20. Prep and materials decide where yours lands.
The alternative is a re-coat of stucco, a new layer of colored stucco over the old one. It costs far more than paint.
Painting refreshes stucco and adds a layer of protection. With the right prep and paint, it holds up for years.
Beware of DIY Pitfalls When Painting Stucco
Painting stucco yourself can save money, but the mistakes are expensive to undo.
The wrong paint, too little prep, or coats put on badly can lead to:
- Flaking or peeling paint within months due to poor adhesion
- Visible cracks reappearing shortly after painting due to failure to properly seal stucco
- Moisture damage, mold growth, and rot underneath due to trapped moisture
- Uneven coverage resulting in blotchy, unattractive finishes
- Paint failing to penetrate textured surface fully
What Are The Advantages of Painting Stucco?
Painting stucco pays off in four ways:
- Curb appeal: a new color changes the whole look of the house and can make tired stucco look new again.
- Protects Against The Elements: a good exterior paint shields stucco from moisture, sun and temperature swings.
- Bridging hairline cracks: Behr says an elastomeric coating often bridges cracks under 1/16 inch. Sealed cracks keep water out of the wall.
- Cost savings: painting costs far less than re-stuccoing, the pros Bob Vila interviewed agree.
Paint Selection: Choosing The Best Type of Paint for Stucco
Acrylic Latex: The Gold Standard for Stucco:
For stucco, choose an acrylic latex. Sherwin-Williams and other major brands make acrylic latex paints designed for stucco. It does three things well. It flexes as stucco expands and shrinks, so it does not crack.
Acrylic latex also breathes, so moisture in the stucco can escape instead of blistering the paint. It holds up to weather for years, too. Oil-based paints are too stiff for stucco, which moves with the seasons.
Within acrylic latex paints, look for:
- Exterior-grade: Formulated to withstand temperature swings, sun, rain, snow
- Masonry-specific: made to grip stucco and soak into it
- Vapor permeable: Allows interior moisture to escape, preventing buildup
What Are The Best Exterior Paints for Stucco?
Sherwin-Williams makes several paints used on stucco, including Duration, SuperPaint and Emerald. Revel Painting recommends flat or matte finishes, which hide the texture’s flaws.
Stucco paints worth a look include:
- Sherwin-Williams Duration is a high-end acrylic latex built for durability. Like any acrylic latex, it lets porous stucco breathe.
- Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint is another exterior acrylic latex used on stucco.
- Sherwin-Williams Loxon XP Masonry Coating goes straight onto masonry with no primer needed. Sherwin-Williams rates it highly resistant to wind-driven rain, alkali and efflorescence.
- Elastomeric paint like Sherwin-Williams CONFLEX SHERLASTIC is very thick and stretches, so it bridges small cracks in weathered stucco. One painter told Bob Vila that elastomeric paint does not breathe, while acrylic lets moisture escape. If the walls held moisture before painting, it is the wrong choice.
Other brands make them too: Behr’s guide for painters recommends its Masonry, Stucco and Brick Paint in mild climates. Where walls freeze and thaw or take wind-driven rain, it points to its elastomeric version. St. Louis winters freeze and thaw. Weigh that against the moisture caution above before you choose.
Should You Roll or Spray Paint on Stucco?
Small stucco jobs can be rolled. On full exteriors, painters often use an airless sprayer, because it is faster and gets paint into the texture.
A sprayed coat is back-rolled right away, across the spray direction. That pushes paint into every crevice while evening out the coat.
Here’s how spraying compares to rolling:
Spraying:
- Much faster coverage on large exterior walls
- Pushes paint into crevices better
- More even application for a pro-quality finish
- Requires back-rolling to even out texture
Rolling:
- Easier for DIYers to control
- Creates subtle stipple texture based on roller nap
- Less masking than spraying
- Works well for smaller stucco painting projects
For rolling, use a long nap; Bob Vila’s how-to uses 3/4 inch. Behr says to back-roll a sprayed coat with at least a 1-inch nap.
Work in small sections. Coat every bump and divot. A second coat gives full coverage and a longer life. Leave spraying to painters who mask and back-roll.
Stucco House Colors
Color choice matters more on a textured wall than a flat one. The texture holds shadow, so the wall reads a shade darker than the chip. The color also changes how your house looks from the street.
Sherwin-Williams has a wide range of exterior colors.
Below are ten Sherwin-Williams picks, from whites to grays and beiges.
Whites and off-whites
Grays, greiges and beiges
Colors shown on screen are close, not exact. Stucco texture holds shadow, so every one of these reads a little darker on the wall than on the chip. Test a sample on the elevation before committing.
How to Prepare Stucco for Painting
Preparing stucco correctly before painting is crucial for lasting results:
- Pressure washing: clean off dirt, chalk and loose paint. Behr’s guide pressure washes and allows 24 hours to dry. Bob Vila’s how-to says a stiff brush or push broom is enough for most exterior stucco. Too much pressure damages stucco, so keep it low. Scrape off any loose paint left with a wire brush.
- Caulking cracks: fill hairline cracks with masonry caulk so water cannot get behind the paint. Bob Vila’s how-to caulks small cracks and patches anything wider than 1/16 inch.
- Patching holes: Repair larger holes or cracked areas using stucco patch compound. Allow patches to cure fully before painting.
- Sanding: Lightly sand any nibs or bumps in the existing stucco to smooth the surface for painting.
- Masking and Protecting: Keep paint off windows, doors, soffits and fixtures. Use painter’s tape and plastic sheeting to mask off areas that aren’t getting painted.
- Priming: roll on a masonry primer such as Sherwin-Williams Loxon Concrete & Masonry Primer so the topcoat grips and covers. Let it dry for the time on the can.
Clean, repair and prime first. Then the paint bonds tightly and lasts.
The Importance of Priming Stucco
Priming can look like an extra step you could skip. It is not. Primer is what makes paint grip the bumpy surface and last.
Here’s why you should always prime stucco:
- Seals porous surface: primer soaks into the tiny holes in cement-based stucco and evens out the surface for paint.
- Promotes adhesion: primer is made to bond tightly to stucco, so the paint grips better and lasts longer.
- Improves coverage: with the pores filled and sealed, the topcoat goes on easier and more evenly.
- Prevents reactions: Stucco chemistry can adversely react with paint. Quality primer creates a protective barrier to prevent this.
Use a purpose-made acrylic latex masonry primer like Sherwin-Williams Loxon Concrete & Masonry Primer.
Tools and Materials You Need for Painting Stucco
A DIY stucco job needs the right tools and materials on hand:
Tools
- Paint sprayer: If you are spraying, an airless sprayer covers stucco’s uneven texture far faster than a roller.
- Protective Gear: Wear safety goggles against splatter and gloves for your hands. Add a mask or respirator when spraying or using paints with fumes.
- Rollers with a long nap: 3/4 inch for rolling. Behr says at least 1 inch for back-rolling a sprayed coat.
- Paint brushes: a few synthetic brushes for edges, tight spots and touch-ups. Stucco wears brushes out fast, so skip your best ones.
- Paint roller poles: Multi-section poles for reaching high exterior walls
- Ladder/scaffolding: To safely access all areas of the home’s exterior
- Pressure washer: For thoroughly cleaning prior to painting
- Putty knives: For scraping off loose stucco or paint chips
- Caulk gun: Needed for repairing cracks and gaps
Materials
- Exterior acrylic latex paint: Choose quality paint formulated specifically for stucco
- Acrylic masonry primer: helps paint grip bare stucco
- Exterior acrylic caulk: for sealing small cracks; patch anything wider than 1/16 inch
- Stucco patching compound: repairs dings and larger damaged areas
- Paintable masking tape: For protecting windows, trim, and other surfaces
- Tarps/drop cloths: To cover plants and prevent drips/spills on surfaces
- Soap and water: acrylic latex cleans up with water; follow the can for anything else
- Paint strainers: For removing debris that could clog sprayer
- Paint Tray and Liners: These are essential for those opting to roll. The tray holds the paint, while liners make cleanup a breeze.
Stucco Painting: A Step-by-Step Guide
How you apply the paint decides how long it lasts. Follow these steps from start to finish:
Inspect and Repair Stucco
- Look for cracks, damage, peeling paint. Repair small areas with premixed stucco patches. Caulk small cracks and patch wider ones. Let repairs cure for the time on the product; Bob Vila notes it can be up to 10 days.
Pressure Wash and Dry Time
- Clean the whole surface with low pressure so you do not damage the stucco. Let it dry fully; Behr allows 24 hours.
Mask and Protect Areas
- Cover windows, plants, and surfaces not being painted with tarps/drop cloths. Tape off trim. Remove fixtures if needed.
Prime Bare Stucco
- Apply a masonry primer such as Loxon Concrete & Masonry Primer to bare stucco with a thick nap roller. Let it dry for the time on the can.
Calculate Paint Quantity
Measure the square footage of the walls. Then check the coverage printed on the can: it assumes a smooth surface, and rough stucco takes more. Buy extra rather than running short mid-wall.
Apply Two Coats
- If you spray, back-roll right away. Wait the recoat time on the can between coats. Work in sections and from more than one angle to coat heavy texture fully.
- Divide the wall into small sections and finish one section at a time.
- Apply the first coat vertically, then go over the same section horizontally for the second coat.
- Two thin coats beat one thick coat, which pools in the crevices and drips, says Bob Vila’s how-to.
- Backroll after each spray pass while paint is still wet to work paint into crevices.
- Inspect from all angles to catch thin or missed spots. Touch up with brush.
- Working section by section, in more than one direction, gets paint into every part of the texture.
Inspect and Touch-Up
- Look for thin or missed areas. Use brush to touch up paint. Blend touch ups into existing coat.
Remove Tape and Reinstall Removed Items
- Once paint has fully cured, remove tape from trim. Rehang fixtures, replace outdoor items.
Clean Up
- Clean sprayer and tools properly. Dispose of empty cans/waste correctly.
When stucco is not a paint job
Most of this guide assumes the wall is sound. Sometimes it is not, and then paint is the wrong answer entirely. Plenty of guides explain how to paint stucco; very few say when to put the roller down.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| What you are looking at | Paint it, or not |
|---|---|
| Hairline cracks you cannot catch a fingernail in | Paint. A flexible coat covers these; Behr says an elastomeric one often bridges cracks under 1/16 inch. |
| Cracks wide enough for a credit card | Fill first, with an exterior grade acrylic latex caulk, then an acrylic masonry primer over the repair, then paint. |
| Cracks running in a stair-step pattern, or wider at one end | Stop. That is the wall moving, not the finish failing. Behr flags stair-step cracks, and any over 1/4 inch, as possible structural damage. |
| A chalky white bloom that keeps coming back after washing | Stop. Efflorescence returning means water is moving through the wall from behind. |
| Stucco that sounds hollow when you tap it | Stop. It has let go of the substrate underneath. |
| Soft or crumbling patches, often low down or under a downspout | Stop. Repair comes first, and it is not a painting repair. |
No paint fixes any of the bottom four, and no sprayer does either. A coating bridges a hairline crack and hides a stain.
But paint will not hold a moving wall together, and it will not stop water arriving from behind. Nor will it re-bond stucco that has let go of the lath. Painting over those buys time, not a fix, and costs you the price of doing the job twice.
If any of those four are what you are looking at, this guide is not for you. It is also not for you if the wall is above one story and you do not work from staging. Nothing in it is worth a fall.
There is a second reason to hand it over, and it has nothing to do with the wall. The texture means working the surface far harder than flat siding, from a ladder, for days.
An airless sprayer changes that, and so does staging. Elastomeric coatings are thick, flexible films sometimes sold for stucco. They need spray equipment and a wet film gauge to go on as thick as they must.
What it costs to have it done. HBP Painting Contractors prices exterior work at $3 to $10 per square foot. I give that range before anyone has seen the wall, so treat it as a ballpark, not a quote.
What moves the price on a wall:
- the complexity of the job
- the number of coats
- the surfaces involved
- the surface prep the wall needs
- the finishes you choose
A measure on site turns the range into a real number.
Rather not spend three weekends on a ladder? Our stucco painting page explains how HBP preps, prices and repaints a stucco exterior. The consultation is on site and free, with no obligation, or call (636) 544-1254.
Questions homeowners ask about painting stucco
Who put this together
HBP Painting Contractors paints exteriors in St. Charles County and around St. Louis, with its own employees rather than subcontractors. HBP has been BBB accredited since 2012; you can check that on the BBB’s own site.
The company is fourth-generation and family owned. It is fully insured and belongs to the Painting Contractors Association.
Finished exteriors, stucco among them, are in our gallery. Each of our case studies tracks one job from the first visit to the last coat.
Would you rather have it done? Book a free on-site consultation for your exterior stucco painting project. We price the job after looking at the walls in person, and there is no obligation.
Prefer to talk it over first? Call (636) 544-1254.
