Written by Stucco Champions — Southern California’s Authority on Exterior Plastering.
Can You Buy Colored Stucco? The Convenience of Premix
Mixing stucco is a science. If the ratio of sand, cement, and water changes even slightly between batches, the color of your wall will change with it. This leads to the "checkerboard effect," where you can clearly see where the crew stopped for lunch and started again.
To solve this, the industry developed Premixed Stucco. Yes, you can buy stucco with the color already blended in. However, it isn't sold in the aisle of your local hardware store next to the paint. This guide explains the two main types of premix and why professionals rely on them for consistency.
1. The Risk of "Field Mixing"
Traditionally, plasterers would buy bags of grey cement and bottles of liquid pigment. They would count shovels of sand and squirt color into the mixer on the job site.
While cheaper, this method is prone to human error. A little too much water, or a slightly heaped shovel of sand, alters the final color. For a small patch, it might be fine. For a large custom home in Newport Beach, it is unacceptable.
2. The Two Types of Factory Premix
Premixed stucco comes in two forms, and they are chemically very different:
A. Cement-Based Premix (The "Dry Bag")
What it is: A 90lb paper bag containing white cement, lime, polymers, sand, and powdered pigment—all weighed and blended by a computer at the factory (e.g., LaHabra Platinum or Omega ColorTek).
How it works: We simply add water.
Pros: High breathability, authentic "Old World" mottling, and batch-to-batch consistency.
Critical Rule: You must mix the entire bag at once. During shipping, heavy sand settles to the bottom and light pigment floats to the top. If you scoop half a bag, the color will be wrong.
B. Acrylic Premix (The "Wet Bucket")
What it is: A 5-gallon plastic pail of acrylic polymer paste with color and aggregate suspended in the liquid.
How it works: It is ready to use (just a quick drill mix).
Pros: Absolute uniformity. Because it is a liquid suspension, the color is identical in every bucket. It is also highly crack-resistant.
Cons: It looks like a painted surface (uniform) rather than a natural stone surface (variegated).
3. The "Patch Kit" Option for DIY
For homeowners fixing a small crack or hole, manufacturers sell 25lb Patch Boxes. These are premixed cement products.
While a patch kit solves the material ratio problem, it doesn't solve the texture problem. Even with the perfect premix color, if you apply it with a smooth trowel on a rough wall, the patch will stand out like a scar. The tool matters as much as the mix.
4. Sourcing: Why You Can't Find It at Home Depot
If you walk into a big-box store, you will usually only find "Base Coat" stucco (Grey). They rarely stock colored finishes because there are too many options (LaHabra alone has 30 standard colors).
Where to Buy: You must go to a Lath & Plaster Supply Yard.
These yards have "tint machines" (similar to a paint store) where they can take a white base bucket of Acrylic Stucco and inject the exact color formula you need while you wait.
5. The Cost Equation
Premixed stucco is a premium product.
- Field Mix (Sand + Cement): Cheapest material cost, highest labor risk.
- Factory Premix (Bag/Bucket): Higher material cost (approx. $30-$60 per unit), but zero risk of color variation.
For Stucco Champions, the extra cost of premix is worth it to guarantee our clients a flawless, uniform finish without the risk of "shading" issues.
Last week, we shared Understanding Stucco Crack Repair Before Applying a New Color Coat. Do not apply expensive colored stucco over a cracked wall without fixing the substrate first!