Normally on the jobs that I’ve worked on all the stucco work has been subbed out. But this job has been small enough (new windows in a small cottage) and work is somewhat slow so we’re doing it ourselves. I put the scratch coat on with no problems. I’m wondering what depth to put the brown coat on. Should I make it even with the old finish layer of stucco, or should it be below that level and if so by how much? And what kind of trowel should I use to get the right final texture for the brown coat?
Also, I’ve been using the pre-mixed bags for the scratch and brown coats. Our local supplier also stocks bags of fiberglass reinforced stucco mix called “one coat.” Can I use this for the final top coat, and if not what do I use to match and feather out the existing texture?
Replies
Can't advise on the mix, but the finish coat is often about 1/8 inch thick, so keep your brown coat about that much back from the desired finish thickness. If the color coat is a sand finish, use a wood float or a piece of blue board foam.
The 'one coat' is a base coat material, meant to take the place of separate scratch and brown coats, it would not be good for a top coat.
If you are patching in windows, you should have broken back the original stucco edge in an irregular pattern, it makes a better patch than if you try to float to a defined line. That almost always shows as a crack later.
After you have broken the stucco into an irregular line with your hammer, clean off all of the old stucco, then make sure your new wire overlaps the old. Then do the base coat(s), leaving about 1/8" for the top coat.
The top coats I use are actual stucco color coats from El Rey, it is usually tough to match an existing color. I have done small patches with mortar, which is grey, of course. So, lay on the top coat, overlapping the edge about 12"and feather out as much as you can.
As to texture, if it is a sanded finish, use a sponge float dipped in water, let it drain so it's not too wet, then rub the top coat lightly in a circular fashion. Other textures are done with various trowels, it all depends. Experiment; if it doesn't look right, take it off, do it over.
Well, I just reread your post and I see you were asking about the 'texture' on the brown coat - it really doesn't need a texture, just don't make it too smooth.
Is there someone around who would come by and show you a few tips?
you only get one chance to do it right the first time
Make sure you wet the old stucco. Dry stucco will suck out too much water from the mix and will crack.