Paint Type
Elastomeric paint is a flexible, high-build exterior coating formulated to expand and contract with compatible building surfaces. It is commonly used on vertical masonry and stucco where elasticity and resistance to hairline cracking are important.
Elastomeric coatings are primarily intended for properly prepared exterior vertical masonry surfaces. New masonry must cure, moisture problems and loose coating must be corrected, and larger cracks still need repair rather than relying on the coating alone.
| Surface | Compatibility | Preparation | Primer or ground | Finish | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stucco | Excellent on cured exterior vertical stucco | Allow new stucco to cure, remove chalk and loose coating, clean thoroughly, and repair cracks or gaps that exceed the coating system's limits. | Prime uncoated, patched, chalky, or otherwise problem areas as directed by the elastomeric system. | Flexible low-sheen finish designed to tolerate normal expansion and contraction. | — |
| Concrete | Excellent on suitable exterior vertical concrete | Allow new concrete to cure, correct moisture problems, remove dirt and loose material, and repair cracks before coating. | Use the primer or sealer specified for uncoated, patched, chalky, or porous concrete when required. | Use on approved vertical surfaces rather than horizontal areas subject to foot traffic. | — |
| Cinder Block | Excellent on properly prepared exterior vertical block | Make sure the block is cured, dry, clean, sound, and free of efflorescence or loose material. | Prime porous, patched, chalky, or otherwise uneven areas as directed by the coating system. | High-build flexible coating can help create a more uniform weather-resistant wall finish. | — |
| Brick | Excellent on compatible exterior vertical brick | Correct moisture problems, remove dirt, chalk, loose coating, and deposits, and repair damaged mortar or cracks first. | Use the specified masonry primer or sealer when the brick condition requires it. | Flexible breathable finish when the complete system is suitable for the brick and exposure. | — |
| Wood | Limited to adjacent wood approved by the selected exterior system | Clean, dry, remove loose coating, and sand glossy or unstable areas as required. | Prime uncoated wood with the compatible exterior primer specified by the elastomeric system. | Use as part of an approved exterior wall system rather than as a general-purpose wood finish. | — |
| Metal | Limited to adjacent metal approved by the selected exterior system | Remove rust or oxidation, clean, degrease, dry, and prepare galvanized or glossy metal as directed. | Use the compatible metal primer specified by the elastomeric coating system. | Use only where the complete system approves the metal and exterior exposure. | — |
Sources: Behr Premium Elastomeric Masonry, Stucco & Brick Paint, Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec Masonry Elastomeric Waterproof Coating, and Sherwin-Williams concrete and masonry coating guide.
Explore an artist in the PaintZeal reference who deliberately repurposes elastomeric coating as an art material.
Kristoffer Ardeña is a Filipino artist whose Ghost Paintings use everyday tropical materials, repurposed printed surfaces, and industrial coatings such as elastomeric paint to let cracking, weather, and material instability become part of the image.
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