I Know What You Did Last Summer 6/5/11

6/5/11 – The roller didn’t work because the stucco stuck to it and gummed it up. On the other hand, I am getting much faster and better with the level and the nail. Also, it gives me something to do while I’m waiting for the stucco to cure. I tweaked my techniques a little, too. It is VERY important to push hard when applying the stucco. I may not have clarified that. Use lots of pressure, otherwise it falls off too easily. I am not smart enough to use a drop-cloth or anything to catch it if it does. On the same note, the reinforcement gridding needs to be tight/snug to the wall. If it flexes, so will the stucco when you apply it-- and then it falls off. Or at the very least, it will bulge and mess up the flatness desired. I waited longer before etching in my lines, which helped prevent them from being too deep, but got a bit too difficult towards the end. But, with it more cured, I was able to use an old paint brush to knock off the excess grit which looks much better. I also used a wire brush on last night's stuff to lessen the line between the old and new surfaces. It did not work on anything older than that, so timing is important.