Easy Peasy Stucco on Walls

[ACL1504]

I've had several people ask how I did the stucco on Gusano Loco Restaurant.

In the build thread I didn't go into full details but will do so here.

My method is not the only way to add stucco to a wall but it is very simple and extremely easy to do. Remember, this method worked for me and the results were better than expected.

In the kit, Doug has stucco on the top portion of the front wall.

Again, here is my front wall.



More in a few.

[ACL1504]

Since the wall was wood, I'll use some wood for the thread.

I have several wood rulers left over from a safety campaign from work. The ruler is 1/8" thick.



For the purpose of this thread, I've painted a section black so the stucco can best be seen.



More in a few.

[ACL1504]

I made a simple square from scale 2 X 4's for some detail relief.



I'm using a product call Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty.

I've been using this one container of water putty for the past 30 years. As long as the lid is tight, it will last - at least 30+ years that I can attest to.



I'm gonna grab a Diet Pepsi, back in a few.

[Lynnb]

Following 

[ACL1504]

These are the two brushes I'll be using. Nothing scientific about these, just my preference.



The #6 Grumbacher is for the stucco and the 1/4" is for water. More on the water later.



More in a few.

[ACL1504]

Following 

Lynn,

Happy to have you on the jouirney.

Tom

[ACL1504]

I use the 1/4" brush to dampen the wood. Notice I said "dampen" and not "wet". Actually, I guess it's the same but I don't want any standing water on the wood. I just want to dampen it.



The wood is porous and I don't want it to warp. Just want the water/damp on top. When the stucco is applied and the wood is dry, the wood will act like a sponge and suck the moisture out of the stucco.

This will cause the stucco to dry faster which you don't want to happen. With the wood damp, you have time to play with the stucco prior to it getting to dry.

I dampened the black area.



More in a few.

[ACL1504]

Typically the mix of water putty is 3:1, meaning 3 parts putty to one part water.

I added water to the putty and not visa versa. I want my water putty mix to be creamy, not watery or like syrup.

I take the brush and drip it in the mixture and dab it up and down only.

Here you can see the first of two coats applied to the area where the stucco is to be added.



Notice the stucco is damp? This is how I want it to look after the first coat. You also obviously want it to lay flat while drying.

In the next photo you can see it starting to dry.



More in a few.

[ACL1504]

Another tip is to have some dry water putty handy. You can dip your brush into the dry mix if you get the first coat to wet.

After dipping the brush into the dry mix, lightly dab it on the applied stucco. You'll notice immediately the "wet stucco" soak up the dry powder. It's just that easy to do if you get it to wet.



Conversely, you can keep a little cup of water next to the stucco mix. If the mixture is drying to fast, dab the brush into the clean water and then onto the stucco.



Okay, we are almost finished.

More in a few.

[ACL1504]

For the purpose of this thread, I'll use the same color as I did on Gusano's.

The stucco is dry and ready to paint. When dry it is a light tan color so you don't need to paint it.



I added the paint in two coats like I did with the stucco. I dabbed it one in an up and down manner only.



More in a few.

[ACL1504]

When dry, I used Polly Scale Aged White to highlight the stucco.

The aged white was dry brushed onto the red stucco.





As I said, easy peasy stucco.

[Lynnb]

Came out nice. On the Bailey's Produce I had used the Liquidex brand which is pretty much ready to go out of the container. I look forward to trying your puddy stuff.

[vinceg]

Thanks, Tom. Look s very good and painless to do.

[Janbouli]

Thanks Tom for the quick and easy tutorial, now if only we could get our hands on 30 year old Water Putty 

I'm using a product call Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty.

I've been using this one container of water putty for the past 30 years. As long as the lid is tight, it will last - at least 30+ years that I can attest to.



I'm gonna grab a Diet Pepsi, back in a few.

When I saw the photo of the can I was thinking, now there's a fine example of retro look products .

[ACL1504]

Came out nice. On the Bailey's Produce I had used the Liquidex brand which is pretty much ready to go out of the container. I look forward to trying your puddy stuff.

Lynn,

Thank you. there are several methods of making stucco for model walls. I still need to try mine on a larger area.

Tom