Painting Stucco

joe3534

I live in South Florida and am getting ready to paint the exterior of my home. I was given conflicting information regarding pressure cleaning, sealing, then painting vs. not to pressure clean. I was told not to pressure clean because the force of the water causes water to enter deep into the stucco through fine cracks etc.. This then results in blisters or peeling paint when the water begins to escape. What are your thoughts? Also should I use a sealer or a primer?

slickshift

I'm no expert on stucco, but when I was working down there (after that bad hurricane season) we powerwashed then painted using a regional brand paint
This was based on the recommendations of the local painters and the different suppliers (materials, tools, and sundries)

chriscompute

Its all stucco, imo pressure washing stucco is a must, besides removing all the dust dirt ect. it also tends to free most of the loose stuff thats ready to come off.(just dont try to blast it off with a #0 tip, that thing will put holes in just about anything lol)I wash from the top down and keep myself at a 90 to a 45 from where im washing. Dont forget the safety glasses.

joewho

Pressure washing isn't necessary, just low pressure cleaning will be enough. It's true that if water penetrates, and isn't allowed to dry thoroughly, you'll have problems later. Maybe even with inside walls.

The main concern is chaulking. A good cleaner, applied liberally, will remove the chaulking as well as dirt. You don't need 1000/lb. of pressure to do it.

MattCoops

I would strongly discourage pressure washing stucco.
Especially if its the fake stuff thats done over styrophome.

You're painting it right?
So don't worry about any discoloration.

Just spray with a hose and brush off the dirt, grime, and spider webs.

Then spray your paint.

Benjamin Moore's "Lo Lustre" looks best on stucco

__________________
Matt | tile contractor
Charlotte, NC