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Start with a deep clean—most pros use a pressure washer to blast away dust and chalk. Patch cracks with masonry caulk, let them cure, then roll on an acrylic primer. Finish with two coats of high-quality exterior paint using a roller or, better yet, an airless sprayer for even coverage. Skip brushes on broad stucco walls; they’re slow and leave streaks.

Fresh paint seals hairline cracks, boosts UV resistance, and gives curb appeal an instant lift—often a plus when it’s time to sell. The trade-offs? Stucco requires a full cure before painting; the job is labor-intensive, and the wrong coating can trap moisture. Budget accordingly and use paint specifically designed for masonry to avoid peeling later.

When estimating the amount of paint you’ll need for a stucco house, plan on double the paint you’d use for smooth siding. A gallon that covers 400 square feet of flat wall often coats only about 200 square feet of textured stucco, so a 2,000-square-foot exterior may need 10 to 15 gallons.

Painting your stucco wall is a proven alternative to the expense and disruption of re-stuccoing the entire exterior. It refreshes the appearance and protects the surface without the investment of new material. Using high-quality, weather-resistant paint and following correct preparation procedures prevents moisture retention and ensures long-lasting performance. This method offers an efficient means to update your home while maintaining durability.

Rollers work, but an airless sprayer is the gold standard for full exteriors—it gets paint deep into the texture and speeds up the job. Reserve brushes for tight trim only. Whichever tool your exterior painting pro chooses, they’ll keep a wet edge and apply two thin coats for the longest-lasting finish.