Specialists admit that applying stucco is a great way to enhance the beauty of any home, and the application of this surfacing material is well within the skills of most house owners. Generally, the application techniques vary depending on whether the existing wall is wood, block, brick, concrete or some other type of construction material. That’s why, before applying stucco consider what type of surface you will be covering.

Wood. The procedure of applying stucco to a wooden surface begins with nailing roofing felt over the structure. When the roofing felt has been installed, it should be covered with metal netting that can be easily bought at any local home improvement store. It’s better to use galvanized roofing nails to attach the metal netting to the structure.

Next you apply a scratch coat by using a trowel to spread layer of mortar, carefully forcing it into the netting. Thus the mortar will penetrate through the netting, which in turn will help to fasten the stucco coating into place. It’s essential to finalize one wall before starting another one. Plus don’t forget to allow the scratch coat to harden slightly before proceeding. Then use a plasterer’s rake to scratch the entire mortar coat.

Pay attention that when dealing with mortar, a slow and careful curing will work best and provide the greatest strength. The stucco coating should be allowed to cure for at least 36 to 48 hours before proceeding with further actions. In order to keep the area damp the wall should be misted periodically during the curing process.

Apply the finish coat as soon as the scratch coat has been cured. Use a flat finishing trowel to apply the finish stucco coating. When you want to use a powdered pigment, first of all pour in water to it and mix completely before adding to the stucco. After that the stucco can then be finished to the desired texture and allowed to cure for several more days.

While the finish coat is curing, it is necessary to mist it from time to time in order to prevent the surface from drying out quickly. If the stucco is to be painted, wait at least six weeks, and use a paint that is specifically designed for stucco walls.

Masonry or Concrete. When applying stucco to an existing brick, block or concrete surface, firstly brush a concrete bonding agent on it. Then leave it dry completely. As soon as the bonding agent has dried, apply the stucco directly to the wall. The application should begin with a scratch coat, a thin layer of mortar which is applied directly to the structure and left to slightly harden. The next step is to scratch the layer and allow it to harden for between 36 and 48 hours, misting the surface from time to time to keep it moist.