100% Acrylic Stucco Coatings

There are three brands of 100% Acrylic stucco distributed in San Diego. They are Expo’s Synergy, Omega’s Omegaflex, and Lahabra’s Parex. These Acrylic stucco coatings were designed for the exclusive use over cement based substrates. All these finishes provide a versatile and unique look that will enhance the appearance of any plastered building. Acrylic coatings harden and will not soften again under heat. With a non-tacky surface Acrylic stucco products provide a high resistance to the accumulation of dirt, mold and pollutants. Acrylic stucco finishes will look fresh; resist fading, chalking, and yellowing. Acrylic stucco finishes will also help to bridge the hairline and shrinkage cracks that are found in traditional Portland cement plaster construction.

Lemon Grove Stucco offers Acrylic stucco as a premium upgrade to our traditional sandblast and re-stucco jobs. Acrylic stucco is 28% permeable and will allow for water vapor to enter and exit your exterior wall system. Acrylic finishes can also be applied as an interior finish over various types of interior wall boards and ceiling’s. Acrylic stucco finishes are available in any color of the spectrum. If you provide Lemon Grove Stucco with a color sample we will match it for you. That is one of the beauties’ of Acrylic stucco. We can make any color you want. This is another reason why Acrylic stucco is the obvious choice for both commercial and residential projects.


ACRYLIC STUCCO FAQ

1Should I expect Acrylic Stucco to crack? When should I be concerned with cracking?

As houses settle over time, certain building products have more or less flexibility.

While the final coat of acrylic stucco is flexible, elastomerics are more flexible. Sometimes, cement substrates can be brittle and will produce cracks that may “telegraph” to the surface. These are normally small hairline cracks that do not affect the performance of your wall. However, if the house begins to develop cracks wider than 1/10 of an inch (the thickness of a nickel) then the stucco cracks will need to be patched. If the wall is significantly shifting, you will need to contact your home builder.

2What options do I have for repairing my acrylic stucco finish?
Any occurrence of damage such as dents, punctures, holes, etc. are best repaired by an applicator with experience in the use of Acrylic materials. In some cases, the finish, basecoat and lathing may have to be removed and replaced. If the finish material must be closely color matched to the existing work, it is recommended that a physical sample be provided to Lemon Grove Stucco Color Department for analysis and matching. Even then, the new finish can appear somewhat different than the original finish due to age or a difference in the texturing technique of the applicators. If a wall surface must be refinished, it may be more acceptable to resurface the entire panel or larger area to an existing break or termination, rather than a smaller patch area. The area must first be cleaned by one of the methods listed above. Secondly, on the clean and dry existing finish, a skim coat of basecoat should be troweled onto the surface so as to level it. If primer was used in the initial work, apply Acrylic Primer to improve the color consistency and trowelability of the new finish. In applying the new finish, follow the instructions given in the Product Data Sheet for specific finish and texture desired.
3My house has changed color from when it was new: Is this normal?
Most products when left outdoors will change color over time given changes in temperature and exposure to ultra violet (UV). While traditional stucco will darken with age, acrylic stuccos will lighten as composition polymer resins changes with time. This change in color in no way affects the performance of the stucco, but periodic recoating of acrylic stucco will keep your home’s exterior beautiful.
4What is the darker, fuzzy growth appearing along the bottoms of the stucco walls near my flowerbeds? What can I do about it?
This sounds like colonies of mildew. These microscopic organisms are part of the natural life cycle of organic matter, including decay and composting of landscaping materials or mulches. Excessive moisture in flowerbeds, shrubs and other organic materials creates ideal growing conditions for these organisms. It can be prevented, or minimized, by eliminating excess moisture: be sure irrigation systems are not directed against walls and keep plants trimmed back to allow ample light and air circulation. Remove the discolorations by following the directions outlined previously in the stucco maintenance section.
5Do acrylic stucco’s stay cleaner than traditional stucco?
Yes they do Lemon Grove Stucco uses LaHabra’s acrylic stucco that is specially formulated with a Dirt Pick-up Resistant (DPR) technology that forms a hard layer on the surface of the coating reducing the surface tack as the finish cures. The hard surface makes the coating more difficult for dirt to adhere to the face of the finish. The acrylics used maintain their original performance properties such as high adhesion, good water resistance, longevity and excellent resistance to cracking and chalking longer than many other acrylic stuccos.
6How can I change the color of my stucco?
Lemon Grove Stucco’s Acrylic finishes generally remain attractive for many years of service. However, should there ever be a need to refresh or change the color of your home, we strongly suggest the use of LaHabra DPR Coating. Caution: Using paint and another acrylic coatings will alter the sheen and texture of the original finish. Before attempting to refresh the acrylic stucco color, be sure to consult your HOA (if applicable ) and/or Lemon Grove Stucco for proper use and procedural guidelines.

MAINTENANCE OF ACRYLIC STUCCO FINISHES


1Cleaning

Lemon Grove Stucco’s Acrylic finishes are Provided by LaHabra Products. We chose La Habra’s product line over other brands because of their local manufacturing plant in San Diego Ca. LaHabra’s durable, strong materials are manufactured to give attractive appearance and longevity. The desired color of the finish is manufactured into the product and does not require painting for many years. The following procedures are suggested to treat acrylic finishes in case of accidental or environmental soiling or minor damage.

2General Cleaning information

Lemon Grove Stucco inc./ LaHabra Acrylic Finish can be cleaned using the same cleaning agents that are used to clean acrylic latex paints. Any necessary surface scrubbing should only be done with a soft nylon bristle brush. Always test clean a small inconspicuous area of the finish to ensure no detrimental color or texture change will occur.

3Environmental Soiling

Mild Cleaning. Gently scrub the affected area with a solution of dish soap and water. Rinse thoroughly.

Heavy Duty Cleaning. Pressure wash at a maximum pressure setting of 1000 psi. Water up to 100°F may be used. The nozzle of the pressure washer wand should be no closer than one (1) foot from the stucco surface. Do not concentrate the nozzle in one area as this may result in damage.

Cleaning Oily Residue. Mix a 1/4 cup of Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) to one (1) gallon of warm water. Gently scrub the affected area. Rinse thoroughly with water. Caution: Trisodium Phosphate can become a nutrient source for algae growth.

Stains from Wood. Stains from redwood, cedar or treated lumber can be very difficult to remove once they have set on the acrylic finish. If possible, these stains should be removed immediately by one of the cleaning methods listed in the Environmental Soiling section. If the stain does not respond to cleaning, the affected area may have to be sealed and recoated. Please contact Lemon Grove Stucco Inc./ LaHabra Technical Services for options.

Tar and Asphalt Materials. Like stains from woods, tar-like materials can be very difficult to remove. If the Lemon Grove Stucco / LaHabra finish is fully dry and the affected area is small, quick action must be taken. Remove any excess residue taking care not to enlarge the stain. Cold water and/or ice may be helpful in containing the affected area.

Commercial cleansers. Are available that may be effective in removing the stain. Please contact Lemon Grove Stucco / LaHabra Technical Services for more information. In the event that the stain cannot be removed, it may be necessary to seal and recoat the surface with a LaHabra Acrylic coating. Be sure your Acrylic Finish color number is documented.

Rust Stains. Rust stains on acrylic finishes can come from iron or steel construction components adjacent to the installation. To effectively remove the staining, its source should be removed or treated to prevent reoccurrence. To clean the acrylic finish affected by rust stains, use a commercially available Metal Oxide Remover.

Mildew, Fungus and Algae. For installations of LaHabra Acrylic stucco in geographical areas prone to fungus and algae growth, a regular schedule of cleaning is advisable. At the first signs of organic growth the affected area should be cleaned. There are several Mold and Mildew cleaners available for household use.

4Patching and Repairing

Any occurrence of damage such as.

Dents, punctures, holes, etc. are best repaired by an applicator with experience in the use of LaHabra materials. In some cases, the finish, base-coat and lathing may have to be removed and replaced. Given these circumstances and the variety of damage that can be encountered, the best option is to contact the Lemon Grove Stucco / LaHabra Technical Services Department for specific information on repairs of this nature.

REFINISHING

If the finish material must be closely color matched to the existing work.

it is recommended that a physical sample be provided to the Lemon Grove Stucco / LaHabra Color Department for analysis and matching. Even then, the new finish can appear somewhat different than the original finish due to age or a difference in the texturing technique of the applicators. If a wall surface must be refinished, it may be more acceptable to resurface the entire panel or larger area to an existing break or termination, rather than a smaller patch area. As per Patching and Repairing, refinishing should be left to an applicator with prior experience in the use of LaHabra materials. The area must first be cleaned by one of the methods listed above. Secondly, on the clean and dry existing finish, a skim coat of LaHabra base-coat should be troweled onto the surface to completely fill the voids created by the original texture. If primer was used in the initial work, apply LaHabra Primer to improve the color consistency and trowel-ability of the new finish. In applying the new finish, follow the instructions given in the LaHabra Product Data Sheet for specific finish and texture desired. Lemon Grove Stucco can apply Acrylic stucco over our sand blasted surfaces.