Stucco walls can be textured or smooth.
Stucco is a common and visually pleasing wall finish, used as decoration or to cover less aesthetically-pleasing construction materials. It can be textured or smooth and can be painted to create the look you desire.
Mixtures
Decide if you will prepare your own stucco or use commercially prepared stucco. Always follow manufacturer's instructions with commercially prepared stucco. To mix it yourself, it is best to use a mechanical mixer, although a mortar hoe and mortar box can be used. The scratch coat requires three parts sand, one part cement and 500 gallons of water per 100 pounds of cement. The brown coat is generally 500 gallons of water to 100 pounds of plastic cement and four parts sand. The finish coat is normally one part white Portland cement, one part hydrated lime and four parts 30-mesh sand.
Application of Stucco
The application of stucco is the same no matter which coat you are applying. Take the amount of stucco you need and place it on your mud stand, then move a portion for immediate use onto the mud board. If you are right-handed, keep your hawk--a board with a handle--in your right hand and your trowel in the left. Scoop the stucco with the hawk and apply it smoothly and firmly onto the wall with the trowel.
Applying Coats
A lath--a grid to hold the stucco--must be installed on the surface. The first coat, called the scratch coat, should be 3/8ths of an inch thick and will cover the lath completely. Once this is finished, you must use a scratcher to scratch the coat. This provides a proper surface for the next coat, which is the brown coat. Wait 48 hours between the scratch coat and the brown coat, applying water to the wall in a process called moisture curing. This is to ensure the stucco does not dry too fast; the slower it dries, the harder and stronger it thickens.
The brown coat, which is also 3/8ths of an inch thick, is applied over the scratch coat and brought to a level surface, no more than 1/4 inch and 5 feet wide at a time, using a tool called a darby. When the brown coat becomes slightly firm, the imperfections are removed with a cork or rubber float. The wait time between the brown and final coat is seven days, and the brown coat must also be moisture-cured for 48 hours.
The final coat is applied--from corner to corner, do not stop midwall--at approximately 1/8th inch thick, depending on the desired texture. Textured walls can be achieved using a skip trowel. For a semi-smooth texture, bring the aggregate to the surface with a sponge float.
Tips and Warnings
Check your local and state regulations on stuccoing; some states require permits and inspections. Wait time between coating and moisture-curing can depend on your climate. Wear protective attire, including goggles, because the lime and cement can burn your skin.
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