Graffiti Removal

Straightforward practical tips for dealing with offensive and unwanted graffiti.

Graffiti can be extremely upsetting when it happens to you, as a business owner, householder and someone who cares about your environment and community. Here is some practical tips, advice and hints for removal. (Disclaimer).

There are three main ways of dealing with graffiti removal yourself; Paint-Out, Chemical removal, and Pressure Washing. It may be appropriate to also consider a protective coating to guard against future graffiti vandalism.

Alexamenos graffito

Graffiti or Art

The boundary between offensive graffiti and art has become blurred in modern times with some street graffiti artists being valued and their graffiti exhibited in art galleries.

The graffiti image to the left, the Alexamenos graffito, is a second century pagan graffito depicting a man worshipping a crucified donkey. It is inscribed with text, which translates as "Alexamenos respects God". It is presumed to be making fun of a Christian soldier.

This early example of graffiti is visible at the museum on the Palatine Hill, Rome, Italy. The satirical Alexamenos graffito is believed to be the earliest known representation of Jesus.

Graffiti: Public Nuisance

All grafitti as vandalism is unwelcome, a public nuisance and bears a cost to the property owner for removal. Graffiti is against the law in most countries and local government will often provide a rapid response graffiti removal service.

Graffiti removal: Health and Safety

Remember, if you are tackling a graffiti removal project yourself, that chemicals can be harmful to yourself AND the environment. Tackle any graffiti removal job slowly and very gently at first until you see how the original surface is being affected by your work. Read instructions for chemicals carefully and take care not to over-reach when using a ladder. Be prepared to seek professional graffiti removal advice early on if tackling a big project. (Disclaimer).

Graffiti removal: Paint Out

Painting out the graffiti with the same colour paint as the surface affected can often be the simplest and most cost effective method of graffiti removal. Painting over the unwanted graffiti will hide the ofrfensive ascribble and also give an additional coat of protection for your wall or other exterior surface. Be sure to match the colour of the paint carefully to avoid an unsightly newly painted patch - the graffiti removing overcoat should be virtually invisible once dry. Any previously painted surface is suitable for this method of graffiti removal, painted brick, painted wood, painted stone or plaster, and it is possible to overcoat older painted surfaces with a more modern paint that is designed for easy remnoval of graffiti - so also consider this.

Graffiti removal: Chemical Removal

Chemicals are available that can remove graffiti but this is a specialist area and it may be wiser to condsider hiring a professional to do the graffiti removal. The danger (apart from the potentially hazardous chemicals themselves) is that the removal may damage or remove the original finish which can cause additional harm / damage to the graffitied surface. Chemicals, also, may not be available at general DIY or household supplies stores and will need to be sourced from a specialist company.

Graffiti removal: Pressure Washing

Pressure washing is an option that can be considered as a DIY form of graffiti removal. Many businesses and households may have a pressure washer already, for car washing or cleaning paths, so this would be a good additional use for that pressure washer. Solvents to add to the water can be bought that are specially designed for pressure washing graffiti removal, but it might be worth trying something fairly innocuous first like washing-up liquid or car-cleaner (make sure that your pressure washer is suitable for whatever you use). Caution is needed when removing graffiti with a pressure washer not to damage the surface or wear down the surface. Compressed air combined with a cleaning agent can a;so be used to remove graffiti.

Graffiti Prevention: Protective Coatings

If graffiti is an ongoing problem where you live or work, consider protecting high-risk graffiti areas with a protective coating. An anti-graffiti protective coating will allow you to easily wipe off most graffiti as soon as it occurs, without affecting the underlying surface. The protective coating, depending on choice, can give continuous and ongoing protection. There are basically two types of anti-graffiti protective coatings, Sacrificial Anti-Graffiti Coatings and Permanent Anti-Graffiti Coatings. With a sacrificial anti-graffiti coating applied to high risk graffiti areas, graffiti is easily and quickly removed, if neccessary also removing the coating and re-applying to protect. Permanent anti-graffiti coatings are matt or gloss finishes that can provide up to ten years protection once deployed. Graffiti is easily removed from these surfaces, so ongoing protection is guaranteed.

Graffiti Removal Tips

Attempt to remove graffiti gently with the minimum of chemicals and abrasives at first.
Test a small area first to avoid causing further damage to the surface.
Contact your local council / municipal department - almost all will have a graffiti removal service or at the least be able to offer free graffiti removal advice.
Seek professional advice / support before tackling big or dangerous jobs. Ladders AND chemicals can be hazardous.

The City of Burlington, Vermont, USA has a good Graffiti Removal Tips page with recommendations for effective do-it-yourself graffiti removal.