Elastomeric and paint
A coating chosen for the wall you have
Stucco is hard and porous, and every wall has aged differently in the Phoenix sun. We look at yours before we say what goes on it.
Some walls take a good acrylic exterior paint. Others, with many hairline cracks or a chalky surface, may suit an elastomeric coating. Your estimate names the one we would use, and why.
Prep checklist
What happens to the wall before any coat
On stucco, prep is most of the job. Each step is on your written estimate.
Wash
Dust, chalk and loose paint come off.
Gentle wash, not a blast that damages the stucco
Time to dry before anything goes on
Plants, windows and light fixtures covered first
Inspect
We tap the wall and walk every side.
Hairline and wider cracks marked
Hollow-sounding stucco marked
Failed caulk at windows and doors marked
Repair and prime
Each repair is filled, textured and primed.
Cracks filled and patches matched to the texture
Bare spots primed so the coat takes evenly
New caulk where the old has failed
A typical job
Four days on a one-story house
A range, not a promise: repairs and weather move it. Your estimate gives the days for your house.
Step 1: Day 1
Wash, mask windows and doors, cover plants.
Step 2: Day 2
Repairs, caulk and primer on bare spots.
Step 3: Day 3
First coat, wall by wall, following the shade.
Step 4: Day 4
Second coat where the estimate calls for it, then a walk-through with you.
Finishes
What the wall will look like
Flat
Hides small flaws in the wall. The usual choice for stucco.
Low sheen
A little sheen on trim and fascia, easier to wipe clean.
Textured elastomeric
A thicker coat that softens the sand texture of the wall.
Questions about coatings
What is elastomeric coating?
A thick, flexible coating that is rolled or sprayed on in one or two coats. It can bridge many hairline cracks. It forms a continuous film, so if moisture is getting into a wall from behind, we say so and deal with that before coating.
Do I need elastomeric, or will regular exterior paint do?
It depends on the wall. A sound wall that only needs a new color often takes a good acrylic exterior paint. A wall with many hairline cracks may suit elastomeric. Your estimate names the one we would use and why.
How long does a stucco job take?
Most one-story homes take three to five working days, if repairs and weather allow. Your written estimate gives a range of days, and we text you each evening where the crew got to.
Who buys the coating, and which one?
We buy it. The estimate names the product line, the sheen and the color. Ask for the product data sheet and we send it.
Can you match my existing color?
Yes, from a chip, a paint can or a sample we take from an inconspicuous spot. Sun fades stucco, so we compare the match on the wall in daylight before we coat all of it.