Faded exterior walls can make a home look worn down, and property owners often want to know what goes into freshening them up. Redashing Stucco is one of the best ways to give a house a total facelift without tearing off the old layers. Over the years running Costa Mesa Stucco, our team has heard just about every question regarding this process. The details of Stucco Redashing in Costa Mesa will help you understand what the work involves.
What actually is stucco redashing?
Stucco Redashing means applying a brand new, thin coat of finish stucco over your existing sound stucco wall. Think of it as a skin refresh. Costa Mesa Stucco does not tear down the lath or the brown coat unless there is major structural damage underneath. Instead, our team prepares the old surface, applies a bonding agent, and trowels on a fresh finish coat. Stucco Redashing fills hairline cracks, covers up ugly discoloration, and gives your property that crisp, brand-new look without the massive mess of a full demo.
How long does a redash job last around here?
If the work is done right, a good Stucco Redash easily lasts 15 to 20 years or more. But coastal moisture and the marine layer that rolls into Eastside Costa Mesa can test exterior coatings. Salt air and damp mornings mean your finish coat needs to be high quality and applied correctly. If a contractor skips the proper bonding agent or rushes the curing process, peeling and cracking will appear much sooner.
Can you redash over painted stucco?
This is a very common question for Costa Mesa Stucco. The short answer is yes, but you cannot just apply fresh wet stucco over old exterior paint and hope it sticks. Paint acts as a barrier, and fresh stucco will not bond to gloss or latex paint. Costa Mesa Stucco has to power wash, grind, or scarify the painted surface first, then apply a heavy-duty acrylic bonding agent. If the existing paint is bubbling and peeling off in sheets, Stucco Redashing will not work until all that failing paint is stripped away completely.
How do I know if my walls need a redash or a complete tear-off?
Tap on your walls. If it sounds hollow in spots or the underlying brown coat is crumbling away from the wood or metal lath, a simple Stucco Redash will not cut it. You have moisture intrusion and structural rot hiding underneath. But if your walls are structurally solid, plumb, and just look ugly, faded, or covered in hairline spider cracks, Stucco Redashing is the right move. Costa Mesa Stucco always tells homeowners to inspect a few test spots before committing to a scope of work.
What's the best time of year to schedule a redash in Costa Mesa?
Costa Mesa has mild weather compared to the rest of the country, but summer heat and sudden Santa Ana winds can dry out fresh stucco too fast. When stucco dries too quickly, it shrinks, burns, and cracks. Spring and fall are prime times because the temperatures are moderate. If Costa Mesa Stucco completes a job during a hot spell, our team has to mist the walls down multiple times a day to help the cement cure properly.
Can I pick any color, or does it have to be standard gray?
Homeowners have plenty of options for Stucco Redashing. You can go with a traditional colored finish coat where the pigment is mixed right into the stucco bag, or you can paint over the redashed wall once it fully cures. Most homeowners down on 19th Street or near Triangle Square like the integrated color because it requires less maintenance down the road, meaning no paint to chip off when a stray ladder hits the house.
For homes and businesses in Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa Stucco provides Stucco Redashing services.