Experts affirm that such qualities of stucco as its durability and weather-resistance, pleasing texture, and a number of painting options has made it an excellent exterior surface. Every stucco finish is nothing more than two or three thin coats of a mortar that consists of one part masonry cement to three parts sand, with a small amount of lime and water. However, stucco requires a solid backing. 

There are limitless solutions for the final textures. You can easily experiment with different techniques to find the texture that answers your demands and satisfies tastes. Just make sure you can reproduce the texture consistently. At the same time when left untinted, stucco finish dries to a medium-gray color. You can add a colorizing pigment to the finish coat, stain or paint the surface after the top coat has cured. If you mix in a pigment, make sure to measure the components carefully and mix each batch exactly the same way to obtain a consistent color. By mixing together white cement, lime, and white silica sand you can produce a bright white stucco finish coat.

A step-by-step application guide:

1. Preparing the wall. For a concrete, brick, or block wall, simply brush on concrete bonding agent and allow it to dry. .

2. Applying the first coat. Nail on roofing felt to apply stucco mortar over a wood wall, and then cover it with gauge metal netting. Cut the netting with tin snips and attach it with galvanized roofing nails. Apply the scratch coat with a flat finishing trowel forcing the stucco mortar into the netting to form the “key” for coating in place.

3. Scratch the first coat. To avoid start-and-stop lines always complete one wall as soon as you’ve started it. Allow the scratch coat to harden slightly, and then scratch the entire stucco mortar surface, running the tool in long lines along the surface.

4. Keep the mortar wet

Keep in mind that slow, damp curing provides the greatest strength. Allow the scratch coat to cure for 36 to 48 hours; keep it damp by misting it with water from time to time. Check up the weather as you’ll need to mist more often on a hot, dry day.

5. Apply the finish coat

Apply a thin finish coat onto the dampened scratch or brown coat with a flat finishing trowel. If you add powdered colorizing pigment, add water to it and mix the blend completely before adding it to the stucco finish. Finish to the texture of your choice. Cure the stucco for several days, misting the surface occasionally to slow the curing process. Complete the project by caulking around doors and windows. If you paint the stucco, wait at least six weeks before doing this and select the paint specially formulated to cover stucco.