How to Paint Over an Exterior Rock Facade

Many of the homes in our area include a stone house facade incorporated into our exteriors. When you are considering an exterior paint job, this is a factor you’ll want to plan for with your update. For the do-it-yourselfers out there, here’s how to paint over an exterior rock facade.

Adding a new color to rocks on your home’s exterior can give you a fresh and bright appearance on the house. It adds to your curb appeal, but also choosing the right paint will allow you to have a weather-blocking layer that protects the look. When you are shopping for supplies, make sure you opt for exterior masonry paint in addition to some non-residue cleaner made for exteriors. Pressure washing can be tempting but it’s not recommended because it can dislodge the stones and reveal the wall behind them.

Prepare

Remember that you should spend ⅔ of your time in the preparation phase of your work. Get your painter’s tape and drop clothes and get to work. You’ll want to take time applying the painter’s tape very carefully to the edges of the stone and any windows or doors you’re painting near. While it’s not a perfect system it will certainly help.

Use a still brush to clean the area you are painting. Use a detergent if you are having trouble removing stains and grime. Be sure you fully rinse the area and allow it to dry. Because stone can be porous, you will need to allow it extra time to dry out, otherwise, the paint will trap the moisture inside and cause further damage. It’s best to leave the project to dry overnight.

Paint

If you are painting a large area that requires more than one can of paint, it’s a good idea to box it. This is a technique that will ensure there are no visible differences between each can of paint once it’s painted. Mix the cans into a large bucket and stir thoroughly.

You’ll want to work with a small, angled, trim-style paintbrush to allow you to paint into all of the cracks and crevices that come along with a stone facade. The rock and mortar are porous and rough. To apply the paint, use tapping or dabbing motions for full saturation. With the smaller brush, tap the paint onto the smaller areas and especially the mortar between the rocks.

Now that the deeper crevices and tiny rocks are covered, move to a larger paintbrush to paint the rocks and areas you didn’t address with the smaller brush. Be sure to step back and look for bare spots. This can be particularly difficult to see if you are painting a color that’s close to what it was before.

Go back after allowing for dry time and add at least two additional coats of paint. Rocks and mortar surfaces are rough and areas are easily missed. By adding these coatings, you’re sure to have covered the surface completely.

Finish Up

Once you’re sure you have covered the entirety of the facade and it’s dry, clean up any lingering paint drops or messes you have made. Before pulling off the painter’s tape, use a straight razor and create a clean line. This way, when you peel the paint up, you don’t take any of the new facade paint with it. This keeps lines clean and professional-looking.

Exterior Paint Jobs

If you’re ready for an exterior paint job, contact us today. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our estimate team today.