Can Stucco Be Sprayed On?
Stucco can be sprayed on instead of hand applying it. Stucco involves a layered application process, and luckily all layers from the base to the finishing coats can be applied using a spray method. You will need specific types of spray guns to apply the various cement-based materials using the spray-on method, which can be confusing, but we will break down the materials needed to apply your stucco using a spray method.
Spraying Stucco Base Coats
Stucco base coats typically range in thickness from ⅜ “ to ½”, so a large amount of material is required to be sprayed on the wall in order to create the necessary thickness. The base coat sprayers will have the ability to spray a large volume of materials at once, some companies have industrial stucco sprayers that can spray on 8,000+ lb of material every hour, but a smaller, more DIY type of sprayer will also work for base coat application. These smaller sprayers have a small sprayer that has a hopper and is hooked up to a compressor that can spray at least 8 CFM.
Spraying Stucco Finish Coats
Stucco finishing coats are thinner than a base coat, with a thickness generally ranging from 1/16” to ¼”, which allows a smaller sprayer to be used since not as much material is required to be dispensed at once. A lot less air pressure is required of the finishing coat sprayers.
Can You Spray Stucco With a Drywall Hopper?
A drywall hopper is a type of sprayer that can be used to apply drywall in a spray-on fashion, but this can double as a stucco sprayer, only for the finishing coats of the stucco process. Due to the large amount of stucco that will need to be dispensed to create the necessary base coat thickness, the drywall hopper will not be able to provide the volume of stucco dispensing to create the proper base coat. It can work for the finishing coat, since that is thinner and requires less air pressure. There are only certain types of stucco that can be applied as a finishing coat using the drywall hopper. Cement-based finishing coats that contain a finer sand type, usually 20-30 mesh, are usually the best types of materials to spray using the drywall texture hopper.
Types of Stucco Sprayers
There are a number of stucco sprayers that can be used to spray on your stucco siding:
Large Sprayers
A larger setup is usually very large in size, anywhere from the size of a small to medium sized truck. These large sprayers can cost anywhere from $10,000 and up, and they take a coordinated crew of people to work properly. These are typically only used by larger stucco companies who are installing many stucco sidings each day.
Small Sprayers
A small sprayer is typically an option used by a smaller stucco company that has a crew of around 4-6 people. The small sprayers can usually pump out enough material to cover the base and finishing coat, but it is more manageable for a smaller crew of people than the large sprayers mentioned above. One example of a smaller sprayer is the Imer 50, which can pump out a good amount of material but does not require the large coordinated effort that a large, truck-sized sprayer does.
Mortar Sprayers
Mortar sprayers are small sprayers that have small hoppers and are designed to dispense the correct amount of stucco to cover the base coat thickness. The mortar sprayers are an affordable option compared to the expensive equipment mentioned above, and can range from $50 to $350, depending on the type of mortar sprayer and where it is purchased. Some mortar sprayers will need a compressor to work properly with them, which can be a costly purchase if you do not already have one. If you are looking to invest in a mortar sprayer, Amazon is a good place to look to get an idea of what is out there. Looking into the mortar options, and determining if you need a compressor in addition to the mortar sprayer, can give you a good idea of the costs you may be willing to incur in order to spray on your stucco siding.
Drywall Hoppers
A drywall hopper can be used to apply the finishing coat of a stucco system, and these are typically smaller sprayers that can be relatively inexpensive to purchase. They are limited in the type of stucco they can apply, so it is important to understand your project before purchasing a drywall hopper.
Spray-on stucco siding can be a great option if you are looking to DIY your home and up its curb appeal with stucco siding. However, the process can still be time consuming and costly, and with a complex material like stucco, which requires a precise application process and care to ensure it lasts for years, it is worth speaking to a local stucco contractor in Phoenix and making sure you are taking the best course of action for your home. The team at Titan Stucco has the expertise and knowledge needed to provide you with professional guidance for all your stucco needs. Contact our team today with any stucco questions or inquiries.
