Can You Repaint Stucco That Has Been Painted Before?

A question that comes up every now and again is whether or not painted stucco can be painted again. I wondered why this question was asked, seeing as how it seems to be a simple answer but there are a few things to take into account so it is a deeper question than it appears to be on the surface.

Let's get into it!

Can I Paint My Stucco If It Is Already Painted?

Yes, you can paint over already painted stucco and it is usually easier than painting over a non painted stucco finish. You do not need primer, in most cases either and the paint will usually last for quite a while before needing another coat.

Prep For Repainting!

There are some advantages to repainting an already painted stucco finish but the prep work is usually the same. Pressure washing the stucco first is the best kind of prep work you can do and will increase the chances of the new paint sticking to the old paint.

Pressure Washing: There is no real "magic number" when it comes to psi but you want to remove staining and have enough force to clean out the rougher areas of the stucco texture, if you have a rougher texture. If the stucco looks cleaner after pressure washing, then chances are you are using enough pressure.

If you are taking off existing paint, then you might have to be more thorough when pressure washing, making sure to get the majority of the loose paint off or reduce the amount of psi, increase the distance your nozzle is from the wall, choose a less aggressive tip or a combination of the three.

Crack Repair: Performing crack repair after you pressure wash can make a huge difference in the overall look of the repainted stucco walls. This is usually pretty simple to do, using caulking to seal the cracks and blend them in before you paint. I have a tutorial on how to caulk stucco cracks that may be helpful to some of you out there.

Patches: If you have any patches to address on your stucco, then you should do it before repainting the stucco, as it will save time and money in the long run. A primer is recommended on fresh stucco repairs and usually a masonry primer is best suited for the job, due to the initial (higher) ph levels of the cement.

What Kind of Paint Is Your Stucco Painted With?

One of the hardest things to find out but it will benefit you in the long run. You will want to do your research when it comes to painting over certain paint coatings, like elastomeric paints.

If you have an acrylic paint on your walls, then it is safe to use another acrylic paint and is usually the paint I recommend for stucco myself.

This is a loaded topic in itself and you will need to research the topic, as I want to keep this post shorter.

How Often Should I Repaint My Stucco?

This is a good question and unfortunately there is no super clear answer. I usually recommend that people either have their stucco repainted every 3-7 years or at least inspected to see if there is any chipping, fading, etc. happening.

One thing to keep in mind is that some walls might see much more exposure to the sunlight, rain, wind, etc. and might need more attention than other walls around your home. In Norther CA for example, the walls that are exposed to the South will usually get battered by the elements and will have most of the issues, while the walls facing North will sometimes seem untouched.

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About the Author

The Stucco Guy

Ryan Retired Stucco Contractor

I’m Ryan, a longtime stucco contractor who has spent plenty of years getting dusty, chasing cracks, matching finishes, and figuring out what actually works in the real world. I created TheStuccoGuy.com to make stucco a little less confusing, help homeowners avoid expensive mistakes, and give you practical answers without all the fluff.

Take a look around, and if something still has you scratching your head, send me a question. I’m always happy to help.

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8 comments
Don Williams says

We are repainting our exterior 60 year old stucco house with basically the same color. I think it was last painted about 30 years ago, but the paint is still in basically good shape. We are using self-primer stucco paint from Home Depot.

We have a pressure washer and are pressure washing all the surfaces well.

Do we need to primer it first? Its a bit of a hassle, since the primer is white (meaning any small pockets or areas not completely painted would show). And it adds 50% more to the job over just painting 2 coats of paint.

It is a bit frustrating because the internet just keeps saying it is “best practice” or “usually recommended”. But since it is a big impact on the time to cut in and paint a third time, I want to really know it is that big of a benefit, particularly when we are painting the same color.

Reply
    The Stucco Guy says

    Great question! You’re not alone in being frustrated by all the vague “best practices” online.

    If your stucco is already painted, still in good shape, and you’re thoroughly pressure washing the surface, you likely don’t need a separate primer, especially since you’re using a quality self-priming stucco paint and sticking with the same color. Primer is most useful on bare stucco (which is highly porous) or when there are lots of patches and repairs that could cause uneven absorption and visible color variation.

    In your case, since the surface has already been sealed by previous paint and there’s no major damage, two coats of self-priming paint should be just fine. Just make sure the surface is clean, sound, and dry before painting, and you should get a durable, uniform finish.

    Hope that helps cut through the noise a bit!

    Reply
Daniel Winans says

I own a stucco home in Southern California. It was built 15 years ago and the builder used a colored stucco on the exterior. I am getting ready to paint the exterior for the first time. Should I prime the stucco first seeing how it has never been painted before? Thank you.

Best regards.
Daniel

Reply
    The Stucco Guy says

    Hi, Daniel,

    It’s great to hear that you’re planning to refresh your stucco home! Before you start painting, you should thoroughly pressure wash the exterior to remove any dirt, debris, and loose particles. After that, inspect the stucco for any cracks or damage and make necessary repairs. Once those repairs are made, priming the stucco is a good idea, especially since it’s never been painted before. This helps ensure better adhesion and a more even finish. After priming, you can proceed with your chosen paint.

    Best of luck with your project!

    Warm regards.

    Reply
Karen Glass says

Once stucco has been painted with elastomers paint can you repaint it with regular acrylic paint? I think you are saying yes, just verifying….

Reply
    The Stucco Guy says

    Hi Karen! Yes, you can repaint stucco that was previously coated with elastomeric paint using regular acrylic paint. To ensure proper adhesion, it’s a good idea to use a bonding primer first, especially if there are pinholes or surface imperfections. This will help the new acrylic paint adhere better. Thanks for asking!

    Reply
Kim says

We were wondering if it’s possible to grind existing stucco to look like stone. Our house is brick with very rough stucco accents. We considered smoothing the stucco and applying a stone veneer. If we can make it look like stone veneer, that would save us some money.

Reply
    The Stucco Guy says

    It’s technically possible with a lot of grinding, but making it look good would be pretty difficult. You might have better luck applying a new textured coat and carving a stone pattern into it while it’s still wet. That way, you get the look of stone without all the grinding!

    Reply
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