How to Apply Stucco to Shower Stalls

Secure a metal or plastic stucco lath to the drywall above the shower stall surround with finishing nails. Make the lath tight against the wall.

Mix stucco plaster with water until it reaches a consistency similar to toothpaste. When held on a trowel at a 45-degree angle, the plaster mixture should stay on the trowel. If it slides off the trowel, add more dry stucco plaster.

Spray the drywall with water until it is just damp. The dampness will help the stucco plaster dry evenly so that it doesn't crack. Spread a 3/8-inch layer of the plaster mixture over the stucco lath, and smooth it with the trowel. Spread the plaster so it comes just to the top of the shower stall surround.

Drag a plaster rake over the plaster while it is still wet on the wall. Move the rake horizontally, or create a diamond pattern. Allow the plaster on the wall to dry.

Spritz the plaster on the wall with water until it is just damp. Spread a thinner layer of plaster, about 1/4-inch, over the first layer of plaster on the wall. As with the first layer, this layer should come just to the top of the shower stall surround.

Add texture to the plaster with a finishing trowel, moving it over the plaster in different patterns. Stand back every so often to inspect your work, and continue adding texture to the plaster until you reach the desired effect.