Why stucco needs its own approach
Stucco isn't painted the same way as wood siding or drywall. It's porous, prone to hairline cracking as the structure beneath it settles, and needs coatings that let moisture pass through rather than trap it, or you risk blistering and peeling.
Repair before you paint
Painting over cracked or damaged stucco just hides the problem temporarily — cracks almost always telegraph back through new paint within a season or two. Any visible cracking, chipping, or stained sections should be repaired and texture-matched before a new coat goes on.
Standard acrylic vs. elastomeric coatings
Standard acrylic exterior paint works fine on stucco in good condition with no recurring cracking. For stucco with a history of hairline cracks, an elastomeric coating is usually the better choice — it stays flexible after curing and can move slightly with minor settling instead of cracking along the same lines again.
How many coats a color change needs
Going lighter to darker, or making a dramatic color change, usually requires two to three coats for full, even coverage. Staying within a similar tone can sometimes be done in two coats. A contractor should quote based on your specific color change, not a flat one-size number.
Texture matching matters more than people expect
A patch that isn't textured to match the surrounding stucco will be visible under painted color, especially in direct sunlight where shadow lines show up. Ask any contractor doing stucco repair how they plan to match existing texture before they start.