Replies

1. 
   Ed_ward_Cyra | Sep 07, 2000 07:31am | #1

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   I am scraping the peeling paint on my North gable stucco house. Which primer should I use? Oil base or latex? I am considering using a latex top coat. Are there any brands specifically for stucco?

2. 
   Guest_ | Sep 07, 2000 07:31am | #2

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   Edward,

   I don't know where you are (part of the world), so I can't be especially brand-specific........

   Almost every major paint manufacturer has a paint formulated for stucco. Go to the paint warehouse type stores where the painting contractors buy. They'll more than likely help you out.

   Get a water-blaster (pressure washer) and really strip that puppy.

   I had a friend used oil-base primer on stucco, but I'm not sure it's a real good idea. All the stucco primers by major manufacturers around here are acrylic/latex type.

   Don't paint it when the sun is on the surface and it feels hot. This is VERY important. It won't soak in - you just get left w/ a dry film on the surface, which hastens peeling.

   Here in So. Calif., we often wet the stucco w/ water befor putting the first coat (assuming the stucco is raw, unpainted). Sound crazy? Wet your raw stucco when it's quiet around, and listen to the little sucking noises. That's water moving in the plaster by capillary action. When the raw surface is damp-ish and cool, the paint moves into those pores, providing a great bond. Been doing it that way for decades. (Assumes water-based paint, obviously).

   Finally, if you have a bad or recurring peeling problem, check the ph level of the stucco (ph pencils and other testing methods are available at/through the same paint-contractor places I mentioned before). Stucco tends toward alkyline, which is bad for paint - many primers available to help neutralize the alkylinity.

   Good luck!