Written by Stucco Champions — Southern California’s Authority on Exterior Plastering.
Fog Coating vs. Painting Stucco: A Guide to Breathable Restoration
If your stucco home looks faded or blotchy, the instinct is to paint it. However, for traditional cement-based stucco, painting can be a mistake. Paint creates a film that seals the surface, potentially trapping moisture and leading to peeling.
The superior alternative is Fog Coating. This is not paint; it is a cement-based re-coloring process that acts like a stain. It penetrates the pores of the stucco, restoring the original color without altering the texture or breathability of the wall. This guide explains why Fog Coat is the secret weapon of stucco restoration.
1. What Is Fog Coat?
Technically, Fog Coat is a blend of Portland cement, lime, and pigment—identical to the finish coat on your house, minus the sand.
When mixed with water and sprayed, it bonds integrally with the existing stucco. It doesn't sit on top; it becomes part of the wall.
2. The "Water Test": Is Your Home a Candidate?
Fog coating only works on porous, unpainted stucco.
How to Test: Splash water on your wall.
If it darkens immediately: The wall is porous. You can use Fog Coat.
If it beads up and runs off: The wall is painted or sealed. You cannot use Fog Coat. You must use paint or strip the wall.
3. The Benefits of Fog vs. Paint
Why choose Fog Coat?
- Breathability: It keeps the pores open, allowing moisture vapor to escape (preventing dry rot).
- Texture Preservation: Paint fills in the fine texture of stucco, softening the look. Fog Coat is thin and watery, keeping the crisp "sand" or "lace" definition.
- Zero Peeling: Because there is no surface film, Fog Coat will never peel, flake, or blister. It fades naturally over 20 years, just like the original stucco.
4. Application: The Garden Sprayer Method
Unlike heavy paint sprayers, Fog Coat can be applied with simple tools.
- Mix: Combine the powder with water in a bucket until it has the consistency of thin paint. Strain it to remove lumps.
- Spray: Use a standard garden pump sprayer. Apply in a fine mist (hence "Fog"). Do not flood the wall.
- Blend: Apply multiple light passes to build up color depth. This avoids runs and sags.
Fog Coat is translucent. It works best when refreshing the same color or going slightly darker. You cannot turn a dark brown house white with Fog Coat. The old color will bleed through. For drastic color changes, you need a high-build acrylic paint.
5. Where to Buy
You won't find Fog Coat at Home Depot. You must go to a professional Lath & Plaster Supply Yard (like Westside or Hub). Brands like LaHabra and Omega sell 25lb bags of Fog Coat matched to their standard color charts.
Conclusion: Restore, Don't Cover
If your home passes the Water Test, choose Fog Coat. It is the most authentic, long-lasting, and maintenance-free way to revive a traditional stucco exterior. It honors the material science of the wall rather than covering it up.
Last week, we shared Choosing the Right Screws for Your Stucco Walls. If you are mounting fixtures after fogging, read this first.