When preparing to paint the stucco on the exterior of your home, take the time to properly prepare surfaces, choose the best paint for the job and use the right tools to achieve a professional appearance when the job is done. House painting is a long, arduous job that can be expensive, even if you do it yourself. Don't waste your money or your time. Do it right the first time, and your paint job will last for years.
Repairs
Carefully inspect the exterior stucco and repair any cracks or chunks that are visible. You can find various types of stucco mix in your local hardware store. Use the right tools for the job, from a tooth-edged trowel to a rubber float as demanded by the size and extent of the repairs. When in doubt, talk to an expert at your hardware or home improvement store. When you're finished with repairs, it's time to choose colors and type of paint. Exterior latex paint is the best for outside jobs. If you're going from a lighter color to a darker color, you may not need primer, but going from a darker color to a lighter color may require a coat of primer to help with coverage. Primer is a great way to produce longevity in any paint job, so if you can afford the primer, get it.
Tools
You have several options when it comes to exterior painting. You can use a spray gun, a roller or a paintbrush. Spray guns may be faster, but they can be problematic, depending on size and weight of the machine compressor, hose length and getting hang of the trigger. If you decide on a spray gun, take the time to practice on a wall that no one will see, preferably the back of the garage, until you get the hang of it.
Using a roller may take a little longer, but you have complete control of where the paint ends up. When choosing a roller, choose one with a thick nap so that paint can get in between valleys and dips created by the stucco. Go over your strokes twice. You'll want to start at a corner and work your way to the other side of the wall using long, even, up-and-down strokes.
If you're using a paintbrush, choose a wide brush using either hair or synthetic fibers. You may need a few brushes to get through the job, and take care to pull hairs that come loose from the brush (and they will) out of the paint on the wall as you go. As with rollers, use long, even up-and-down strokes to apply paint to stucco walls.
Best Results
No matter which method you use to apply paint to stucco, your weather conditions will determine how fast (or slow) paint dries. Try to apply exterior stucco paint between 50 and 90 degrees for best results. If you see spaces you missed, go back over them. Paint will appear slightly darker when it's dried, so these places should be easy to spot. For painting near the bottom of the house, dig a small trench slightly below ground level so you can apply paint near the base of the house. This will help prevent chipping and flaking when watering flowerbeds.
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