FAQ: How Long Does Stucco Need To Cure?

I usually recommend a MINIMUM of 7 days for stucco to cure before painting but a 14 day wait is better and 30 days is the “standard” cure time. After 7 days, the new stucco will have a significant portion of it’s strength gained and a lot of the shrinkage cracking will have occurred or started to occur.

How long does stucco take to cure?

In a traditional three-coat stucco system, the finish coat must be cured using the same practices as base coats. Moist-curing can be terminated after 48 to 72 hours, but the finish coat should remain uncoated for at least seven days to prevent coating failure or poor bonding.

What happens if it rains on fresh stucco?

Wait until the walls have had the time to dry out a bit and then apply the paper and wire. Scratch/Brown Coats: Rain affects the base coats set time, like I mentioned earlier. This is the last coat of the stucco process and rain can distort the color and appearance of the final look of the stucco.

How long does stucco need to cure before rain?

Stucco needs to dry for at least 48 hours before it rains.

How long should stucco dry?

The water in the stucco mix must release slowly for proper drying. If all the elements work together as they should, the average drying time for the stucco is 90 days.

Does stucco get darker as it dries?

After the stucco completely dries, it will then appear lighter and have a slight chalky appearance. This oxidation process continues for many years and ever so slightly, the stucco will continue to darken, even after the initial cure.

Does stucco need to breathe?

Stucco is porous and it needs to breathe. Painting the surface of fresh stucco will trap moisture between the waterproof membrane that separates the stucco from the walls of your home. The paint could bubble, peel, and chip as the moisture attempts to escape.

Is unpainted stucco waterproof?

Three-coat stucco is the most common exterior cladding here in Southern California; properly installed, it’s tough, durable, and attractive. But it’s not waterproof. No matter how skilled the plasterer is, rain will get behind stucco.

How warm does it have to be for stucco?

For best performance, the temperature of newly applied stucco should be maintained at a minimum of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. In many cases, this can be achieved by heating the structure and covering the exterior surfaces. As temperatures drop lower, plaster ingredients can be heated before mixing the stucco.

Does stucco work in wet climates?

Stucco is known for repelling moisture in most normal climate conditions. On the other hand, in rainy environments, it can be more prone to oversaturation. The installation of stucco is labor intensive, but the long-term benefits of having this durable, beautiful siding are worth it for many homeowners.

Does new stucco need to be sealed?

In general, stucco performs well with no paint, coating or sealer applied. If the stucco is painted, it will have to be cleaned, sealed or primed, and repainted periodically, just like other painted surfaces. Stucco cracks can be repaired using caulk or by removing some stucco near the crack and reapplying new stucco.

Should you water fresh stucco?

Stucco must be kept moist for a minimum of 48 hours after application. Stucco walls should be watered (fogged) in the morning and evening when the walls are cool. Moist curing (watering) allows the hydration process to continue and the stucco to get hard. New (fresh) stucco that is dry can be re-hydrated.

How long do you leave a scratch coat?

The first coat is known as the scratch coat, and is applied in a thin layer and left to cure. This can take from between 24 hours up to two days, depending on humidity, temperature, and airflow around the building.

Can you apply stucco in the rain?

Application Conditions Stucco can only be successfully applied to your home under certain conditions. Cloudy weather is ideal, since a sunny day can make the stucco dry too quickly. However, it must not be rainy, merely cloudy. While the stucco is drying, it’s important to keep it damp by misting the stucco with water.

Can you apply stucco over stucco?

You can apply new stucco on top of old, so long as the proper measures are taken to ensure the integrity of the new layer. Check the existing stucco for structural integrity. Keep the nozzle at least two feet from the surface of the stucco area. Allow 48 to 72 hours for the stucco to dry.