What Is Stucco And How Do You Mix It?

'Stucco' is basically outdoor plaster. You can use it on any surface that needs livening up with a little texture. It is extremely durable and you can also add colour as necessary o blend in with the existing surface.

The basic components are portland cement, hydrated lime, sand, and water. There are three layers required for any stucco application: scratch, brown and base. The difference between each layer is the proportions of each component of the mixture.

Here is a basic set of quantities for each.
Scratch coat:

1 part portland cement
1 part hydrated lime
2 1/2 to 4 parts sand

Brown coat:

1 part portland cement
1 part hydrated lime
3 1/2 to 5 parts sand

Finish coat:

1 part portland cement
1 part hydrated lime
1 1/2 to 3 parts sand

Each mix is combined with enough water to create a stiff paste with a uniform colour. The best container to mix stucco in is a wheelbarrow as you can move it to where you need it easily too. Just use a spade or a trowel to mix. Make sure that you are in a shaded area to prevent the stucco from drying out too quickly, and only prepare as much as you will need at one time.

There a number of sites to help advise you about applying stucco.