I'm confused. Here's a snip from BASF's site: "It waterproofs, protects, and decorates building exteriors while allowing them to breathe. Thorocoat® produces a tough, outer film that maintains its aesthetic and performance properties over time. Thorocoat® is available in smooth, fine, and coarse textures..." When I read that, particularly about the coarse texture, I did not envision a paint product. It sounded like just the thing to correct our problem, which is hundreds, if not thousands, of gaps between the brick and mortar. Is there a coating system that can be applied over poorly installed brick that will fill the voids, waterproof (& still let it breathe) and provide a look similar to mortar wash? Mightyanvil, I agree with you about the best type of brick joint. When we custom built, we had the masons do just that (after much arguing with both the builder and the masons, because it's not the style here.) However, the home we're now in is not that house. It's a builder's spec that we bought in spite of its flaws because it met other critical needs. We've had the windows recaulked six times in the last year - there are still gaps. I hate to think of how hard it will be to find a brick mason to repoint the brick and do the job right the first time.

I Managed the application of Grancrete on this project under the guidance of the local Grancrete and Jim Paul the co inventor of Grancrete. The project started with 13,000 sq. ft. of an old stucco system of lath, expantion joints, scratch, brown and Lahabre finish with rounded parapet top walls(S.W. style). In our high mountain desert area Lahabre and cement finishes have a habit of spalling due to freeze and thaw conditions almost daily during the winter. We wanted to keep the look and Grancrete provided a product that claimed to have qualities that would make this possible. It was in question weather we could use Grancrete to achieve an aesthetically pleasing finish so the contract started with a synthetic top coat. After talking to Grancrete we decided to use Grancrete HFR white with color added and an antiquing process to achieve a old world look. All of which we were told should be ok. we began by removing all finish down to brown coat and washing the surface thoroughly. At the start everything was looking great.(we left the expansion joints in place). Half way through the project we began to notice check cracking developing 2-3 days after installation in the finish especially in the areas exposed to the sun more. Grancrete claimed there was a mix up at the plant, the micro fibers were left out causing the problem. We re-coated with fibered material with the same problems. As the product sat the problem magnified after prolonged exposure to the sun. but not in the areas shaded by trees. Grancrete stated that they had never seen this before and they had a new product called Grancrete PC that would work to fix the problem. We tested the product and saw similar problems but not as pronounced. The first offer from Grancrete was to provide the material to us to fix the problem at a discounted rate (the warranty clearly states complete replacement or refund). After further lengthy nogotiations they agreed to provide all materials and some labor money to fix the problem. By that time we were out of good weather and the PC product was not performing much better then the rest. The project is now on hold until spring in hopes that Grancrete can come up with some answers so we can finish it with their product; even though I am disappointed with the performance of the product and the company. I still believe this product has great potential. I would also state that any one looking to use this product they fully understand that it is extremely difficult to finish off professionally. You need to be at the top of you game and have 1 key individual communicating well and directing the operations. Also you must have a highly skilled team.

What paint/primer brand and type should I try? I see on Consumer Reports the Behr (Home Depot) Premium Plus Enamel is rated tops and great for for hiding (whatever hiding is). In the last house we had a similar issue with Behr semi gloss paint and the Kilz primer. Not sure if it was the same type of paint but I painted 2 coats of Kilz primer and several coats of semi-gloss white but it was not covering. I gave up after about 5 coats total. The rest of the house had semi gloss painted by the home manufacturer and it looked very nice and cleaned up great (kids). The one room I painted had the flat paint and the texture would come off the walls when you had to clean it. Current house has similar flat paint everywhere and we hate it but can't seem to get the coverage the home builder did in the last house with semi-gloss paints. we're about ready to give up, costs to much time and money to put on 5 coats and still not look good. I'm going to wait at leat a week or more before trying a new primer and paint. Wish me luck!

I've heard that too, Chris. I have a little 3"x3" sample of two different yellows. The stucco manufacturer made me a 9# bag of each color mix. I'm just waiting for the stucco guys to mix it and put it up for me to see a large sample before I decide. I'm just wondering if over time will the color I choose fade or darken. I've always thought it will fade, but the guy at the stucco manufacturing company (La Habra) said it will darken. Seems strange to me so wanted to see what other people have experienced.