Painting the plastered facade: choosing paint and tips for work

Your home’s exterior can be painted to change its appearance and provide weather protection. A durable and appealing finish depends on selecting the appropriate paint and applying it properly.

The first step is to choose the appropriate paint type for your plastered surface. Many paints have different advantages, such as ease of application and durability. Making the best decision for your unique needs will be made easier if you are aware of these options.

After choosing your paint, it’s important to apply and prepare it properly. This include priming the surface if necessary, cleaning the surface, and employing the proper methods to guarantee an even, smooth coat. Your freshly painted facade will look fantastic and last for a long time if you take the proper approach.

Choosing the appropriate paint and being aware of a few crucial pointers can make all the difference when painting a plastered facade. It’s critical to select a paint that meets the demands of your facade, including durability, weather resistance, and appearance. A durable and appealing finish is also ensured by appropriately preparing the surface and applying the paint. This post will help you choose the best paint and offer helpful tips for a hassle-free painting job.

Requirements for paint for outdoor work

The following factors need to be considered when selecting paint for external plastered walls: functional, decorative, and technological.

Properties of operations:

• UV resistance. Not all paints react equally to sunlight. Acrylics fade faster than compositions containing butadiene styrene. This property is also affected by the pigment in the composition. Organic is more susceptible to UV radiation, and inorganic fades less actively;
• Vapor permeability. Depends on the porosity of the polymer material. It is affected by the binding solvent and the mechanism by which a hard coating is formed. If it concerns mineral facades, this parameter should be taken into account without fail. Otherwise, the surface will quickly deteriorate from the accumulated vapors and moisture;
• Resistance to peeling, flaking and swelling. Depends on how well the paint adheres to the surface. Here, proper preparation of the walls, the correct application technologies and its resistance to moisture play a role;
• Resistance to mechanical damage — chips, scratches. Depends on the adhesive properties and strength of the coating;
• Resistance to climate change — temperature changes, precipitation, high humidity;
• Resistance to contamination and further cleaning of the surface. Depends on the density of the texture of the liquid material.

The necessary technology consists of:

• Consumption — ​​an indicator of the required amount in kilograms or liters per 1 m2 of plastered surface. This indicator depends on the type of walls, paint thickness, material application technique (brush, roller, spray gun);
• Painting characteristics — ease and convenience when applying, the ability to lay down evenly, without spreading;
• Thixotropic properties — the ability to become more liquid when interacting with rollers or brushes and thicken upon completion of this interaction;
• Drying time. The ability of climatic conditions to affect the work depends on how quickly the liquid material dries.

Decorative attributes consist of:

• Possibilities for tinting;
• Reflectivity (matte, semi-gloss and gloss);

Types of facade paints and their features

The choice is made based on the surface material to be painted, not on personal tastes or desires. For example, not all types of facade paints will work with plastered walls due to their alkaline nature. They come in various varieties, incidentally, based on the binders that are used in them. Now let’s look at which ones work best for exterior plastering.

Acrylic and latex

Despite having different names, both use acrylate material as a binder. For white filler, marble and chalk are utilized. Ideal for a wide range of surfaces, such as mineral plaster, brick, and concrete. Pastes and universal water colors can be used to add color. Acrylates effectively conceal the texture of ornamental plasters, like bark beetles and fur coats, because of their low viscosity. Let us examine the benefits of paints made of acrylic and latex:

• easy to apply, diluted with water;
• resistance to alkali corrosion makes it suitable for coating plaster;
• bright colors;
• non-aggressive to use;
• water-repellent film, while allowing air to pass through;
• weatherproof and wear-resistant.

Interior plastering projects can also make use of acrylic or facade latex paint. For highly humid rooms, the coating is ideal. When it dries, the surface turns matte. Application techniques: spray, brush, or roller.

Silicone

Although modified copolymer silicone dispersions are added, the base material is still acrylic resin. Paint with a silicone content makes it more resilient to air and moisture, making it suitable for painting building cellars and basements. It is a good option for external plastering in general. Qualities:

• high vapor permeability;
• blocks the development of fungi and mold;
• water resistance;
• high elasticity;
• optimal decorative and performance characteristics;
• applied within two days after plastering;
• high cost;
• not tinted in bright, acidic tones.

Silicate

It is made by combining organic additives with liquid silicate glass. Compared to others, it is stronger and more resistant to wear. This is the best facade paint for plaster in terms of performance. Benefits and drawbacks of silicate materials

• excellent performance;
• high vapor permeability;
• resistance to mold development;
• easy application to concrete, brick, cement, lime or gypsum plaster;
• penetrates deeply into the surface;
• low elasticity;
• does not give bright tints, is tinted in pastel colors;
• not used on acrylic plasters and other non-mineral bases.

Oil enamel

A less common paint that uses drying oils as a binder. It is not very elastic and nearly impossible for air to flow through. As a result, it is typically used when working with hard surfaces like metal or wood. Oil enamel is also used to paint cement plaster and concrete, but these coatings have a low durability and are prone to peeling and cracking. This is by no means the ideal option for plaster work that is done outside. Characteristics of oil paintings:

• resistance to temperature changes and precipitation;
• poor vapor permeability;
• susceptibility to corrosion, due to which the color changes and deteriorates;
• toxicity of solvents for oil paints.

Mineral

Lime. They consist of diluted slaked lime, which is utilized for wall painting. To put it plainly, this is whitewash. Its low cost has led to its widespread popularity. Its bactericidal action is another benefit. Whitewash has drawbacks, including staining, being erased with water, and being washed off. Making lime dye, also known as whitewash, for plaster is not hard. We go into more detail about this in our article on lime plaster. However, pre-made paints are also available for purchase; one such brand is Finngard Tikkurila.

Lime and cement combined. White Portland cement is an additional cost-effective painting option. While cement paint can be tinted, vivid colors cannot be achieved. All you have to do to get ready is dilute the cement until it becomes liquid by adding water. Water resistance and rapid setting are two benefits. The short life of this composition is one of its drawbacks.

What to paint with?

In summary, we should choose one of the water-dispersion (water-emulsion) paints, such as acrylic, latex, silicone, or silicate, for a stunning facade composed of decorative plaster.

It’s challenging to rank anything here. First off, different manufacturers have different color catalogs; therefore, the best paint for you will depend on your personal preference. Second, different additives have different effects on the materials’ properties. As a result, there will be variations in price.

The price per liter ranges from 180 rubles to 600–700 rubles. In addition to their high quality, paints and varnishes can cost a lot of money because they are imported from abroad. Finland is the producer of the well-known Tikkurila, for instance. Consequently, you can choose high-quality paints from Russian producers like Tex, Lakra, etc. to save money.

More advice on selecting facade paint is given in the video.

Face putty is used to cover minor imperfections.

After smoothing the finishing putty with fine sandpaper, it is primed.

Before adding the next layer of plaster coating, the previous one must dry. The outside walls are primed all over to improve material adherence before painting.

Painting a plastered facade

If you follow the paint manufacturers’ recommendations, painting a house is not difficult. The external walls’ plaster needs to be totally dry. The air temperature shouldn’t be less than 5 °C. Work outside is not done in heavy wind, rain, or fog. The walls that are being painted should not be exposed to direct sunlight as this will cause uneven drying, which will lower the coating’s quality.

Now think about the order in which they operate.

1. Before application, the facade paint is mixed with a mixer. If it needs to be diluted, then half of the volume is poured from the bucket into another container and diluted to the desired consistency. Usually no more than 5-10% of water is added.
2. Textured plaster is easier to paint using a paint roller with a long or medium pile. To do this, the material from the bucket is poured into a tray and rolled over it with a roller.
3. Then the wall is painted, starting from the top corner. Roll up and down several times on one surface to make sure that there are no unpainted areas of the plaster. Also make sure that there are no drips, they are rolled out with a roller.
4. Painting consists of two or more layers. Each must dry before applying the next one. On average, this is 4 – 6 hours.
5. The consumption of facade paint on mineral plaster will be 6-8 m2 / l with a single layer coating. That is, a standard nine-liter bucket is enough for about 65 m2. This primarily depends on the type of surface, its unevenness, as well as the consistency of the paint and varnish material. The least amount of paint will be spent on smooth cement plaster. The maximum consumption will be on relief decorative finishing such as "fur coat".
6. After the paint has dried, you can consider that the finishing of the external walls is finished.

We also advise you to read the decorative plaster painting article.

Aspect	Details
Paint Type	Acrylic paints are popular for facades because they are durable and resistant to weather conditions. Mineral paints are also a good choice for their breathability and natural look.
Surface Preparation	Make sure the plaster is completely dry and clean. Repair any cracks or imperfections before painting.
Application Tips	Apply paint with a roller or brush. For best results, use a primer before painting to improve adhesion and coverage.
Color Selection	Choose a color that complements the surroundings and reflects your personal style. Lighter colors often work better in hot climates as they reflect sunlight.
Maintenance	Regularly inspect the painted facade for any signs of wear and tear. Clean the surface as needed to keep it looking fresh.

Selecting the appropriate paint for your plastered facade can have a big impact on your home’s longevity and appearance. You can guarantee that your facade will look fantastic for many years to come by choosing a paint that meets your unique needs, whether they be ones related to weather resistance, durability, or aesthetic appeal.

Don’t forget to thoroughly prepare your surface before painting. In order to achieve a level, smooth base, clean, repair, and prime the plaster. The paint performs better and adheres more readily after this preparation.

For optimal results, adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when applying the paint. Use top-notch equipment and methods to accomplish a polished finish. Applying paint correctly prolongs the life of the coating while also enhancing the appearance of your facade.

You can turn your plastered facade into a gorgeous feature of your house by using the appropriate paint and application techniques. If you take the time to make thoughtful decisions and apply with caution, the result will be a gorgeously painted exterior that withstands the weather.

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