Everyone says cleaning stucco before painting is important. After 500 Florida stucco jobs, we've learned it's not just important - it's the single factor that determines whether your paint lasts 3 years or 10.
Here's what that means in practice: a homeowner in Palmer Ranch had her stucco painted by another contractor two years ago. It looked great for about eight months. Then the paint started peeling in patches, especially on the south and west walls. When we assessed the job, we found the original contractor had pressure washed and painted the same day. The stucco never dried. Moisture trapped under the paint film eventually pushed it off.
How to paint stucco in Florida isn't complicated, but it demands respect for what our climate does to exterior surfaces. This guide walks through the professional approach that produces lasting results.
What Makes Florida Stucco Different
Florida stucco faces conditions that stucco in other states doesn't. Our UV intensity is among the highest in the country - those rays break down paint binders and fade pigments faster than anywhere in the northeast or midwest. Daily humidity swings stress paint films as the stucco expands and contracts. Afternoon thunderstorms during summer months saturate surfaces regularly. And if you're anywhere near the coast, salt air attacks any coating that isn't specifically designed to resist it.
These factors affect everything from product selection to application timing. What works in Georgia might fail here. What holds up for 15 years in Arizona might last 5 in Sarasota.
Stucco itself presents challenges regardless of location. It's highly porous, so it absorbs significant amounts of paint - meaning you'll use more product than you might expect. The texture traps dirt and requires thorough cleaning. New stucco is alkaline enough to damage paint, requiring proper cure time or specialized primers. And stucco moves with the building, developing cracks that need coatings flexible enough to bridge them.
Assessment: What to Look For Before You Start
Before painting, walk the entire exterior and document what you find.
Cracks tell you a lot about what's happening with your stucco. Hairline cracks under 1/16 inch are normal settling and will be filled during painting - elastomeric coatings bridge these without issue. Larger cracks between 1/16 and 1/8 inch need attention before painting - these get cleaned with a wire brush and filled with elastomeric caulk. Cracks over 1/8 inch suggest something more significant. You'll need to open the crack slightly, apply bonding agent, fill with stucco patching compound, and match texture. Allow at least seven days cure time before painting over repairs.
Test for chalking by rubbing your hand across the surface. If white powder comes off, your existing paint has broken down. Chalking surfaces need specific treatment - either heavy cleaning to remove all chalk or a chalk-locking primer before painting. Painting over chalk means your new paint bonds to loose particles instead of solid surface, and it will fail.
Check for efflorescence - those white mineral deposits that look like salt stains. This indicates moisture moving through the stucco from behind, carrying minerals to the surface. Address the moisture source before painting, or efflorescence will push right through your new paint.
Look for mold and mildew, especially on north-facing walls and areas that don't get direct sun. Florida humidity makes mold inevitable if surfaces aren't properly maintained. Painting over mold doesn't kill it - it keeps growing under the paint and eventually pushes through.
Cleaning: The Most Important Step
Professionals spend more time on cleaning than any other step, and there's good reason. Paint applied over a dirty surface is paint that will fail.
Power washing stucco requires the right pressure and technique. Too much pressure damages the stucco surface. Too little leaves contaminants behind. We use 2,500 to 3,000 PSI with a 25-degree tip for general cleaning, switching to a 15-degree tip for stubborn areas. Work from top to bottom, maintain 12 to 18 inches from the surface, use steady sweeping motions, and overlap your passes. Pay extra attention to textured areas where dirt hides in the crevices.
Mold and mildew treatment happens during or immediately after washing. Mix one part household bleach to three parts water, or use commercial mildewcide. Apply to affected areas, let sit 15 to 20 minutes, scrub if needed, then rinse thoroughly. For ongoing protection, use paint with mildewcide additive - standard in professional Florida applications.
After washing comes the step most DIYers skip: drying time. Stucco must be completely dry before painting. That means minimum 24 to 48 hours after washing, longer if humidity runs high during that period. You can test with a moisture meter - readings should be under 12 percent. Or use the palm test: the surface should feel dry and warm, never cool to the touch. Cool means moisture remains.
A Longboat Key homeowner tried to save time by painting the morning after washing. Within six months, the paint was bubbling and peeling across the entire south wall. The moisture he sealed in had nowhere to go except through the new paint film. Starting over cost him twice what proper patience would have.
Repairs: Addressing Problems Before They're Sealed In
With clean, dry stucco, you can see exactly what needs repair.
For hairline cracks, elastomeric paint will handle them during application - no prep needed. The paint bridges these tiny gaps and moves with them.
Minor cracks between 1/16 and 1/8 inch get filled with elastomeric caulk. Clean the crack with a wire brush first, apply caulk, and smooth with a wet finger or tool. Allow full cure time per product directions before painting.
Larger cracks need proper stucco repair. Open the crack slightly with a crack opener tool to create mechanical bond, remove all loose material, apply bonding agent, then fill with stucco patching compound. Build up in layers if the crack is deep. Match the surrounding texture while the patch is still wet. These repairs need at least seven days to cure before painting - new stucco is highly alkaline and will damage paint applied too soon.
Chips and surface damage get similar treatment. Clean loose material, dampen the area, apply patching compound, match texture, and allow proper cure time.
If you find large damaged areas, soft spots, or delamination, that's beyond painting prep. Those need professional stucco repair before any paint work begins.
Priming: When You Need It and When You Don't
Not every stucco painting job requires primer, but knowing when you need it prevents failures.
Always prime new or unpainted stucco. The surface is too alkaline for topcoat alone and too porous for even coverage without a primer to seal it.
Always prime bare stucco from repairs. Fresh patching compound has the same issues as new stucco - alkalinity and porosity that primer addresses.
Always prime heavily chalking surfaces. If chalk removal wasn't complete, chalk-locking primer provides the bond your topcoat needs.
Always prime when changing from dark to light colors. Otherwise the old color ghosts through your new paint.
You can skip primer on previously painted stucco in good condition, especially when using self-priming elastomeric paint. Same or darker color applications over sound existing paint typically don't need it.
For primer selection, masonry conditioner works for new stucco, chalk-locking primer for chalky surfaces, stain-blocking primer for water stains or tannin bleed, and standard masonry primer for general use. Apply primer the same way you'll apply paint - work it into the texture thoroughly and allow full dry time before topcoating.
Paint Selection: Products That Survive Florida
Your paint choice determines longevity more than almost any other factor.
Elastomeric paint is the professional choice for Florida stucco. It stretches up to 500 percent to bridge cracks as the building moves. It provides superior waterproofing. It resists UV degradation better than standard paints. And the thicker film offers more protection overall. Products like Sherwin-Williams Conflex or Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec Masonry elastomeric coatings are designed for exactly these conditions.
If budget is tight, 100 percent acrylic latex is the minimum acceptable option. It offers decent elasticity and adhesion, breathes well for moisture release, and costs less than elastomeric. But expect shorter lifespan - maybe 5 to 7 years versus 10 to 15 for elastomeric.
Standard masonry paint works but sits at the bottom of the durability scale. Fine for stucco in good condition that you're maintaining regularly, but not the best choice for Florida's harsh environment.
Color choice matters more than aesthetics in Florida. Colors appear lighter in our bright sunlight than they do on sample cards. Test on actual walls and view at different times of day before committing. Also consider heat absorption - dark colors absorb more heat, causing faster degradation, more thermal stress on the stucco, and higher cooling costs. Light and medium colors perform better long-term.
Application: How Professionals Get It Right
Spray application is standard for stucco because it's fastest and provides the best texture coverage. The key is working from top down, maintaining a wet edge, and back-brushing or back-rolling immediately after spraying to work paint into the texture.
For the first coat, apply paint in manageable sections, keeping the edge wet so you don't get lap marks. Ensure paint gets into every texture crevice - thin spots in textured areas fail first. Allow proper dry time between coats, typically 4 to 24 hours depending on product, temperature, and humidity.
The second coat follows the same process. Watch for holidays - the industry term for missed spots. They're easier to see after the first coat dries and the texture variation stands out.
Coverage varies dramatically with texture. Light texture might give you 100 to 150 square feet per gallon. Medium texture drops to 75 to 125 square feet. Heavy texture might be only 50 to 100 square feet per gallon. Elastomeric paints cover even less because they're applied thicker. Buy more than you calculate - running short mid-project creates problems.
Weather conditions during application matter enormously. Ideal is 60 to 80 degrees, humidity below 60 percent, surface temperature under 90 degrees, and wind under 15 mph. Acceptable ranges push to 50 to 90 degrees and humidity under 70 percent, but you're working with tighter margins for error.
Never paint if rain is forecast within 24 to 48 hours. Never paint in direct sun on hot days - the surface temperature can exceed 140 degrees even when air temperature seems reasonable. Start early in the morning and work on shaded walls during peak heat.
Quality Control and Maintenance
After painting, inspect for even coverage, drips, runs, clean cut lines, and proper texture fill. Address touch-ups while paint is fresh for best blending.
Annual maintenance extends your paint's life significantly. Walk the exterior once a year looking for new cracks, peeling, flaking, or mold growth. Address problems promptly - small issues caught early stay small issues. Clean with a garden hose as needed to remove accumulated dirt.
Between full repaints, spot repair damaged areas and touch up as needed. Keep vegetation trimmed away from walls - plants hold moisture against surfaces and promote mold.
Expect 5 to 7 years from basic acrylic, 7 to 10 from quality acrylic, and 10 to 15 from premium elastomeric with proper maintenance. Coastal exposure shortens all those numbers by a year or two.
Get Professional Results
The process isn't complicated, but it requires patience and respect for Florida's conditions. Rushed prep means early failure. Wrong product selection means shortened lifespan. Painting in wrong conditions means immediate problems.
Our stucco painting specialists use proven techniques and premium products designed for Florida's challenging conditions. If you want results that last, schedule your free estimate with contractors who understand what Florida stucco demands.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How often should stucco be painted in Florida?
Florida stucco should be painted every 7-10 years under normal conditions, but coastal Sarasota homes may need repainting every 5-7 years due to salt air exposure. Signs you need repainting include chalking (white powder when touched), fading, visible stains, or cracks in the existing paint film.
What is the best time of year to paint stucco in Florida?
The best time to paint stucco in Florida is fall through spring (October-April) when humidity is lower and temperatures are moderate. Avoid painting during the rainy season (June-September) when afternoon storms are frequent. Ideal conditions are 50-85F, humidity below 70%, and no rain expected for 24-48 hours.
Do you need to prime stucco before painting in Florida?
Primer is recommended for new or unpainted stucco, heavily chalking surfaces, dark-to-light color changes, and after stucco repairs. Many premium elastomeric paints are self-priming for previously painted surfaces in good condition. When in doubt, prime - it improves adhesion and extends paint life in Florida's harsh conditions.