Should Stucco Houses Be Sanded Before Painting?

About Stucco

• Stucco can be made from different combinations of material. Traditional stucco is made with only lime, sand and water; modern stuccos can also include cement or glass fibers for added texture. It is often gray, but color is sometimes added by the manufacturer in the finish coat.

Sanding

• The role of sanding in exterior house painting is simple: by removing old paint and sanding down to the wood, you will have an even surface. This ensures that the paint goes on uniformly and adheres to the wood.

Pre-Painting

• Because of the textured nature of stucco houses, it is not advisable to sand down the surface prior to painting. Sanding is not a necessary step since other pre-painting treatments are used instead.

Recommendations

• To prepare stucco for painting, wait for a dry spell to ensure that the surface stucco is completely dry. Remove any loose paint flakes and create a smooth, even surface by applying a layer of masonry conditioner to the surface. Exterior latex paint formulated for use on masonry can then be applied, up to two coats. According to Sherwin-Williams, latex paint should have no problem adhering to glass particles in stucco if it has been treated with masonry primer.