Paint Textured Surfaces

Inspect the mortar for any holes, gaps or crumbling. For minor issues, fill it in with acrylic caulk. For larger gaps, call a mason to make repairs prior to painting.

Apply masonry sealer, which ensures that moisture won't come through. If you're painting interior brick, put down drop cloths and tape around the edges that you don't want painted. For exteriors, cover doors and windows with newspaper. Using a thick nap (3/4-inch or 1-inch) roller, roll the sealer onto the surface. Read the manufacturer's instructions for drying time.

When the sealer is dry, use a thick nap roller to apply acrylic masonry primer to the surface. If you had efflorescence on the brick, apply a couple more coats of primer. Wait for it to dry completely before painting.

Using a thick nap roller or a sprayer, apply masonry or brick paint to the surface. Then use a small, angled paint brush to fill in spots you missed and cut in around doors and windows. Masonry and brick paint comes in a variety of finishes, but semi-gloss is popular because it's easier to wipe clean and has a more polished finish. A couple of coats may be needed for complete coverage.

Clean the surface to ensure that dirt and debris doesn't adhere to your new paint job. Mix TSP (trisodium phosphate) with water and clean the walls with a scrub brush.

After the surface is dry, check the masonry for any holes or marks. Fill those in with concrete patch. Read the manufacturer's instructions for dry time. You'll want to ensure the surface is completely dry before you seal.

Using a masonry sealer and a thick nap roller, roll the sealer onto the surface. Allow it to dry completely before priming.

Using a masonry primer and a thick nap roller, apply the primer to the surface. Fill in the mortar joints with an angled brush.

After the primer has dried completely, you're ready to paint the surface. Using a roller and masonry paint, apply the paint in smooth, long strokes. Using an angled brush, finish off the edges and touch up spots that were missed by the roller.

Watch our DIY Basics video: How Do I Load a Paint Roller?

Next, you'll need to repair any stucco that's damaged. Fill in small cracks with caulk. If there are pits in the stucco, you'll need to patch them with new stucco or a patching compound. Allow it to dry before you prime.

Just like brick or masonry, stucco also needs to be primed. Using a high-quality masonry primer, cover the surface with one coat. Let it dry before you move on to painting.

For exterior painting, this two-step method is recommended, and you'll need two people for the job. First, apply stucco paint with a paint sprayer, then have a second person immediately behind the sprayer to roll the paint into the surface. This will create the most even finish. The roller nap will need to be 1 inch to 1-1/2 inches depending on the thickness of your stucco — the rougher the surface, the thicker the nap.

For interior painting, you'll also need a high-quality masonry paint and a thick-nap roller. Load your roller and press evenly onto the stucco. Fill in deep divots with an angled paint brush. A paint sprayer can also be used inside, but cover up the windows with plastic and the floors with drop cloths to prevent a big mess.

Two coats are recommended for interior and exterior stucco.

Use rough surface painters tape to cover the baseboards, window and door frames to protect them from drips and splatters. Place drop cloths on the floor, and cover door knobs with plastic bags. Remove switch plates and cover the outlets with tape.

Next, you'll need to prime the surface. Using a 3/4-inch roller, add the primer to the walls. Let it dry completely before painting.

First, use a brush to cut in to the wall's edges. In order to work the paint into the surface, run the brush in both directions in short strokes.

Depending on the amount of texture on your wall, you'll need a medium to large nap roller. Roll a high-quality, semi-gloss paint onto the walls. For even coverage, work in 4-foot sections using a zigzag pattern. Go slow to avoid splatters. Then use an angled brush to fill in those crevices where a roller can't reach.

Let it dry and then apply a second coat.