Best Paint for Stucco: A Complete Guide to Protecting and Beautifying Your Stucco Exterior

Stucco is a timeless exterior finish, known for its textured charm and durability. But even stucco needs protection from the elements. Choosing the best paint for stucco is crucial to enhance its beauty and extend its life.

In this guide, you will learn about the best paint for exterior stucco, the best waterproof paint for stucco, how to weigh painting stucco pros and cons, and the recommended paint for stucco homes.

Why Choosing the Right Paint Matters

Stucco is porous, which means it absorbs moisture and expands and contracts with temperature changes. A standard interior wall paint simply won’t hold up outdoors on stucco.

The best type of paint for exterior stucco needs these features:

• Flexibility to bridge hairline cracks
• Breathability so trapped moisture can escape
• Water resistance to block rain and humidity
• UV and color fade resistance for long-lasting curb appeal
• Strong adhesion on textured surfaces

Before painting, it’s essential to prepare the surface properly. Cleaning the walls with a mild detergent or pressure washer removes dirt, mildew, and peeling paint. This guide on how to clean walls before painting explains the full prep process in detail.

Painting Stucco Pros and Cons

Before investing in paint, it’s wise to understand the benefits and drawbacks of painting stucco.

Pros of Painting Stucco

• Enhances curb appeal and aesthetic value
• Seals out moisture, reducing mold and mildew risks
• Helps hide minor imperfections and discoloration
• Makes cleaning the exterior easier

Cons of Painting Stucco

• Can trap moisture if surface prep is poor
• Requires high-quality paint and tools, raising costs
• Needs regular maintenance in harsh climates
• May be difficult to remove if you want to re-stucco later

Although it involves some effort, painting can add long-term value to your property. You can see more reasons in this article about the benefits of painting your home.

Best Types of Paint for Exterior Stucco

Not all paints perform the same on stucco. Here are the three most common types and how they compare.

Acrylic Paint

Acrylic latex paint is among the most popular options for stucco homes. It’s breathable, flexible, and easy to apply with brushes, rollers, or sprayers.

Pros

• Excellent adhesion and color retention
• Breathable to reduce moisture issues
• Easier application and cleanup

Cons

• Less effective at bridging cracks
• Not fully waterproof

When applying acrylic paint on large exterior walls, using an airless paint sprayer can give you smoother coverage and save time.

Masonry Paint

Masonry paints are specifically formulated for porous surfaces like brick, stucco, and concrete.

Pros

• Strong adhesion to rough surfaces
• High resistance to alkalinity in fresh stucco
• Good moisture resistance

Cons

• Limited color selection
• Often requires two or more coats

Elastomeric Paint

Elastomeric paint is the best waterproof paint for stucco when water resistance is the top priority.

Pros

• Thick, rubber-like coating bridges hairline cracks
• Excellent moisture barrier
• Extremely durable

Cons

• Less breathable than acrylic paint
• Requires careful application and longer drying time

Recommended Paint for Stucco

Below are some of the best paint for stucco house exterior options available. Each has unique strengths to match different climates and needs.

KILZ Self-Priming Masonry, Stucco & Brick Paint

This acrylic-latex masonry paint offers strong adhesion on textured stucco and saves you the hassle of priming. It’s easy to apply by brush, roller, or sprayer.

Pros

• Self-priming on many surfaces
• Good water resistance
• Affordable and DIY-friendly

Cons

• Flat finish is less washable
• May require two coats for full coverage

BEHR Elastomeric Masonry, Stucco & Brick Paint

BEHR’s elastomeric line is ideal if you live in a rainy or humid region. It creates a flexible barrier that expands and contracts with the stucco, helping prevent cracking.

Pros

• Superior waterproofing
• Bridges hairline cracks
• Long-lasting durability

Cons

• Thick consistency is harder to apply
• Requires extra drying time

Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint Exterior Acrylic Latex

This premium acrylic paint is widely considered one of the best paint for exterior stucco in moderate climates.

Pros

• Great color retention and adhesion
• Flexible enough to prevent peeling
• Easy to clean

Cons

• Not fully waterproof
• Requires surface prep and priming

Benjamin Moore Regal Select Exterior

This high-end paint is known for its smooth finish and exceptional durability, making it ideal for harsh climates.

Pros

• Resistant to mildew and fading
• Smooth, rich finish
• Wide color selection

Cons

• Higher price
• Requires thorough prep work

Paint That Looks Like Stucco

If you want a finish that mimics stucco rather than just coating it, look for textured masonry paints or sand-textured coatings. These create a grainy, plaster-like appearance on flat walls to match existing stucco.

Because these coatings are thicker and take longer to cure, it helps to follow tips on how to make paint dry fast especially when painting in humid conditions.

How to Choose the Best Paint for Your Stucco Exterior

Choosing the right paint depends on your climate, the condition of your stucco, and your budget.

Consider Your Climate

• Wet or humid climates: Use elastomeric or waterproof masonry paint
• Dry, sunny regions: High-quality acrylic or masonry paint is usually enough

Inspect Your Stucco

• Repair any cracks or holes
• Clean off dirt, mildew, and loose paint
• Use primer on bare or patched areas

If you are painting a two-story stucco house, using the best ladder for painting can make reaching higher areas much safer.

Application Method

Stucco is highly textured, so apply paint with a sprayer and back-roll it into the surface. Using the right technique ensures even coverage and a longer-lasting finish.

Final Thoughts

Painting stucco is one of the best ways to protect your home from the elements and improve its appearance. Choosing the best type of paint for exterior stucco is essential to prevent cracks, water intrusion, and fading.

For most homes, a high-quality acrylic or masonry paint like Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint or Benjamin Moore Regal Select works beautifully. If you live in a wet or humid area, an elastomeric paint like BEHR Elastomeric Masonry Paint offers unmatched waterproofing.

With proper surface prep, the right paint can give your stucco exterior a vibrant, long-lasting finish that stands the test of time.