The beauty of stucco as a siding choice is that it already contains its finish color when applied, and the look usually lasts for years. Eventually, however, the surface begins to show signs of age and must be painted. If you are thinking you just want a change for aesthetic reasons, keep in mind that once it is painted, it will need to be refreshed periodically.

Like any surface, stucco must be clean and free of cracks, holes, or other blemishes for paint to adhere to it. To clean stucco that is sound, simply scrub it with a stiff nylon brush and detergent. If it has previously been painted, scrape it with a wire brush or with a scraper if it has a smooth finish.

New paint may have trouble adhering to previously painted stucco. To give the surface some “teeth” for the new paint to grip, “scratch” the stucco with a wire brush. If the previous paint is in serious disrepair, you may want to sandblast the surface; this is best done by a professional. Pressure washing is not a good idea because it can damage the stucco. Finally, If you notice patches that look like they have a white powder on them, see Removing Efflorescence.