Self Priming Exterior Paints on Stucco Homes– Blessing or Curse?

Virtually every paint manufacturer has a “self-priming” paint product on the market.  The products are heavily advertised to consumers.  The concept is a good idea: one coat coverage, thicker paint, less labor to apply and more durable.  Sounds great?   Unfortunately, DIY consumers are too easily swayed by these assertions and often fail to look beyond the advertorials.

Fact check!  Almost all of these products come with the stipulation of “when applied to a properly prepared surface in accordance with the label directions.”   Let’s face it.  Most consumers do not read the label.  Paint sales personnel in many stores mostly answer questions and do not get paid to provide advice. What you don’t know can and will most likely cause you problems.

“Improperly prepared surfaces will result in reduced coating integrity and service life. Up to 80% of all coatings failures can be directly attributed to inadequate surface preparation, which affects coating adhesion.  To ensure adhesion of the coating to the substrate and prolong the service life of the coating system, select and implement the proper surface preparation.” (www.sherwin-williams.com/pro/problem/surface_prep/)

Reality check!  These products are cash cows for the manufacturers.  They are premium priced even when on special sale.  There is a reason they are heavily advertised.  They make more money for the manufacturer.  That does not necessarily make them better. 

Economic check!  In most cases a professional painter can apply two full coats of high quality paint to your home at a price below the cost of one coat of these self priming paints applied at the correct thickness.  (PS – This is also true in most cases for the interior versions as well.  In some cases, you only need one coat anyway on the inside.)

Pragmatic check!  DIY consumers rarely apply paint at the correct mils rate (thickness). 

If you spread this stuff too thin to keep the cost down, you end up with 1.0 to 2.5 mils of paint on your walls.  I am no chemist but it seems to me that two coats of regular high quality latex (2.5 to 3 mils thick) would offer better protection every time?  (Better protection at a lower price?  Sounds like a winner to me.)

Disaster check!  Assuming you cleaned your house correctly (you have to pressure wash a lot more and harder than you think) …. After power washing, previously painted masonry may still have a powdery surface.  This surface has to be sealed before applying the finish coat.  Self-priming paint is not self-priming over chalky surfaces.  If you do not seal your house, this stuff will peel right off.  Oh, it will look ok for a short time.  DIY consumers — This is your worst nightmare.  In about 18-36 months, you are going to need to pressure wash this paint off of your house and start over.  Very expensive mistake!

The Bottom Line

There are a lot of “ifs” here.  If you prep the home correctly, including sealing masonry surfaces, apply self-priming paints at the correct thickness, then saving the labor of second coating can add value.  For DIY consumers this is not an easy task.  I could not find any substantive data on this issue, but my guess is 80%+ of consumers would not get this right.  Getting properly educated about these products is difficult.  Surface preparation is hard work.  I have only met a few homeowners that do this well.  Applying these products at proper thickness is a challenge even for the professionals. 

Please Consult with a Painting Professional

Do not become a DIY painting mistake.  I estimate more than 85% of the homes in our community are overdue on their repaint cycle.  9 out of 10 homes we see are chalky, cracked and show signs of water intrusion.  Homes built within the last 5-7 years likely have additional issues.  These homes require prep well beyond the basics. 

Call a painting professional and get some help.  Cutting corners, looking for labor saving shortcuts and making mistakes can cost more in the long run.  There is a whole lot more to painting than just putting paint on your house. 

If you want to paint your house yourself, that’s ok.  However, please do it correctly.  We  really hate meeting with owners that made a mistake.  Yes, we can fix it.  But it is not an easy task.