The Perfect Concrete & Stucco Coating
Whether your stucco or concrete walls are old or maybe brand new, there are many coating products in today’s market that are supposedly right for your job. However, nothing works better than a 100% acrylic-based coating. From standard paints to high-build flexible membranes, only the Stuc-O-Flex Elastomeric Acrylic Finish is truly a solution for solving color, appearance, or cracking problems in cement.
Stuc-O-Flex Elastomeric Acrylic Finish provides color, texture and an extremely durable weathering membrane. This coating is formulated with the highest levels of Pure Acrylic Polymer, finest-quality aggregates, and the most expensive colorants, offering excellent adhesion to prepared surfaces without peeling, chalking, or flaking. Because the coating is applied at a nominal 1/16 inch, it offers excellent hiding power that eliminates surface defects and irregularities. Stuc-O-Flex is also extremely resistant to sunlight and UV exposure, offering unmatched weatherability that even withstands wind-driven rain at speeds of up to 120mph.
After years of exposure to the elements, Stuc-O-Flex stays stretchable and will not become brittle in extremely cold or hot climates. This coating withstands the damaging effects of continuous freeze-thaw cycles that compromise most other products.
Stuc-O-Flex is a water-based formulation that is safe and easy to use. We also meet all EPA requirements limiting the volatile organic compound (VOC) content. The finish has an extended shelf life and is easy to clean up with soap and water.
We offer excellent color retention and stability too. It can be tinted to match practically any color in the spectrum. This coating can be troweled to create unlimited texture variations from the heaviest skip trowel to the more contemporary sand finish, ensuring a unique appearance and character on your completed walls.
Stuc-O-Flex is easily sprayed and/or trowel applied.
Why Stuc-O-Flex Elastomeric Finish?
As with most products, not all coatings are created equal. In today’s market, there are many materials to choose from but beware of cheap imitations and products of lesser quality. No matter what the situation, “you get what you pay for.” The coating selection is probably more important to the outcome of the project than any other consideration. No matter how good your contractor is, the result will be less than desirable if the material chosen is not good quality.
When looking for the right stucco or concrete finish, there are a few things you should investigate. First, check to see if there is any testing on the product. For instance, check for weatherability characteristics. Has it passed an accelerated weathering test? Can it withstand severe temperature changes and freeze-thaw cycles? A coating that passes a weathering test of 5,000 hours will usually perform better over the years than other products available.
Second, check the solids content. The higher the solids (over 65% is generally a good level for elastomerics), the better the coating will perform. Be certain that the product is made with Pure Acrylic Polymers and not plasticizers, as these will leach out over time and lead to cracks and white powdered chalking.
Fire Considerations
Stuc-O-Flex is Class “A” fire rated. This means the coating will not propagate flames and is self-extinguishing. It will not contribute to fueling the fire in hazardous conditions.
Stuc-O-Flex will last a lifetime—no required maintenance! There is no need to re-paint ever, unless you want to change the color. If your building becomes generally dirty after many years of exposure, just wash the walls with soap and water.
No more scaffolding and noisy contractors or painters outside your building in the spring. The larger your project, the more you will save on maintenance costs over the years.
Customer Assistance
Will the manufacturer and distributor stand behind the product with quality service and assistance? With cheaper materials, the manufacturer or distributor is typically nowhere to be found when you need support or have questions regarding the product.
A manufacturer who stands behind their product and offers good technical assistance is very important. There are always issues that come up during construction, and you deserve a knowledgeable representative to support your project.
Repairing Old Deteriorated Stucco and Concrete
When you talk about repairing old stucco or concrete, you always hear the words “Just like Stuc-O-Flex.” It seems every company has a product comparable to Stuc-O-Flex and markets it as if it will solve all your problems. The fact is that Stuc-O-Flex Finishes offer solutions for stucco and concrete repairs that others just can’t match.
You should always start with a properly prepared, clean, dry, sound substrate to ensure a successful project. Hairline cracks (up to 1/16″) are no problem. Larger cracks should be filled with high-quality urethane caulking spread out across the surface, creating a smooth transition. Once the cracks have been properly filled and are dry, Stuc-O-Flex can be applied to the clean wall surface. In no time, you will have that cracked stucco or concrete looking brand new and resistant to wind-driven rain and water penetration.
One thing to consider—imitations are everywhere, so be careful. Like our name, Stuc-O-Flex Elastomeric acts like a rubber band. Not only will it stretch, but it also has recovery properties. This is especially important in extremely cold or hot conditions. Too often, manufacturers who claim they offer an elastomeric product that stretches lack the recovery characteristic, particularly in hot summer temperatures. The Stuc-O-Flex Finish possesses all of the performance of a true elastomeric with the added advantage of hiding and bridging cracks of up to 1/8″.
Coating New Stucco and Concrete
There’s one thing to know about new stucco or concrete—it’s guaranteed to crack. As soon as the cracks occur, water penetrates through those openings. Once the water gets into the cement, problems start immediately.
First, small cracks get bigger. This happens because water in the cracks will expand when frozen. As water expands in the cracks, the pressure increases and causes the cracks to increase in size. Now more water gets in, which in turn causes efflorescence. Efflorescence is the white powdery material you see on the surface of brick, concrete, and stucco. Generally, this is caused by water getting into the cement. When it evaporates, salts and calcium are left on the surface. Needless to say, when you have cracks and water penetration, your exterior coatings and paint will fail much faster. This results in more expenses and maintenance to keep your building protected and attractive.
Application Suggestions
When applying Stuc-O-Flex Elastomeric Acrylic Finish, there are a few general guidelines that should be followed in order to have a successful project. These helpful hints include:
- Prior to starting any work, a job sample should be completed and approved by the architect and/or owner for color and texture.
- It is important to start with a surface that is completely cured, hard, and free of dirt, grease and efflorescence, along with a moisture content below 20%.
- Follow all mixing and application instructions from the manufacturer.
- All work must be done in a continuous fashion and one operation across the entire wall area or to a break point.
- A wet edge must be maintained at all times to prevent lap marks or cold joints from occurring.
- Application of the material should be from and to natural stopping points on the building (i.e., control or expansion joints, feature lines, exterior or interior comers, etc.)
- Only apply Stuc-O-Flex to unfrozen surfaces above 35 degrees. Protect the Stuc-O-Flex Finish from rain and freezing temperatures for a minimum of 24 hours or until dry.
Whether new construction or repair, remember imitation elastomerics are everywhere and not all materials are created equal. If you want long-term protection and durability with great color retention and maximum crack-bridging ability, the logical choice is Stuc-O-Flex Elastomeric Acrylic Finish.
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