How to Paint a Stucco House for Maximum Curb Appeal

Clear the area you’ll be working in. Lay down tarps to protect any plants, landscaping, pavement, or decking. If you need a ladder or scaffolding to reach some of the stucco, consider calling a professional painter as working on ladders can be dangerous, and scaffolding can be costly and time-consuming to rent as well as assemble and disassemble and move. Another option is to rent a painting lift, which typically costs $100 to $650 per day.

If your stucco has existing paint on it, use 80- to 100-grit sandpaper to rough up the existing paint to help the new paint adhere. An important part of prepping any paint project is to make sure to clean the surface you’re painting. Dirt, debris, grease, and other materials can keep the paint from sticking, so cleaning the stucco will help the paint adhere more securely, extending the life of the paint. Clean the stucco with a soft-bristle brush and a cleaning solution that’s approved for stucco. Rinse with a garden hose and spray nozzle. Try to avoid using a pressure washer unless you have experience, because a pressure washer could possibly damage the stucco if held too closely or at a pressure too high for the material to withstand.

Inspect the stucco for any cracks, chips, or loose material. Hairline cracks will usually be filled in when you paint the stucco, but you can fix stucco cracks that are slightly larger with caulk. Patch any chips with a stucco patch material. If you find wide cracks (¼” or more) or large amounts of stucco material peeling or flaking off, you may have moisture or shifting problems that a professional stucco contractor should assess. Allow any caulk and patch material to dry for the manufacturer’s recommended amount of time.

While the caulk and patch material dries, apply painter’s tape around the edges of the stucco to keep from getting paint on windows, trim, and other adjacent surfaces. Taking your time to tape neatly will help save you time and give you crisp lines. Tape painter’s plastic over any windows or other surfaces that might get paint splatters or drips.

Stir the primer and pour it into the paint tray with a liner (for easy cleanup and switching to paint). Use a 3-inch paintbrush to cut in the edges. Then roll a coat of primer on the rest with a ¾ to 1-½ inch nap roller cover to make sure the paint gets into the deeper crevices in the texture. Apply one coat and allow the primer to dry for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer.

The best type of paint to use on stucco is acrylic, because it’s durable as well as breathable. Breathability is important because it doesn’t trap moisture that can cause mold and deterioration. As with the primer, cut in the edges with a paint brush. Then roll a coat of acrylic paint on with a 3/4-inch to 1 1/2-inch nap roller cover. Work in smaller areas to avoid letting the edge of the paint dry. Maintaining a wet edge helps the paint blend and avoids lines in your paint job. Allow the first coat of paint to dry for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer.

After the first coat is dry, repeat the same process as the first coat for the second coat. Again, allow the second coat to dry for the recommended length of time.

Once the second coat has dried for the recommended amount of time, gently remove the painter’s tape to avoid damaging the edge of the paint. Remove the painter’s plastic and dispose of the tape and plastic. When considering the cost to paint stucco, remember that prep and cleanup should be included as part of the job.