Each year, Los Angeles officials clean up nearly 30 million square feet of graffiti. Are you worried about cleaning graffiti on one of your buildings?
While some find graffiti in certain areas to be an expression of art, you may not want it on your place of business. Do you know how to remove graffiti? Keep reading our graffiti removal guide to help you get your buildings clean.
Identify the Problem
Before you start, you need to figure out what the graffiti is. Is it aerosol spray paint, permanent marker, or inks? Most graffiti removal spray strips away the graffiti using harsh chemicals.
However, it may not remove all types of graffiti and can damage your property. Spray paint has a soft line break with drip marks. Markers and inks leave sharper lines and are typically used indoors.
Think About Your Surface
If you aren’t careful, removing graffiti can do more damage to your property because of the harsh solvents and chemicals. You can notice areas with improper graffiti removal because the finish below has a “white-out” effect with the graffiti tag.
If you have graffiti on a vehicle, furniture, siding, or signs, some graffiti removal sprays will remove the clear protective coat.
For Vehicles
Remove your car out of the sunlight. The sun can intensify graffiti removal products. Avoid abrasive materials to wipe away the graffiti because it can scratch the surface—use a soft cotton cloth.
When the graffiti is removed, rinse off the graffiti removal product. Do not let it sit for more than 60 seconds to limit any damage to the clear coat.
For Porous Surfaces
Spray the area with graffiti remover and let it sit for about three minutes so it can soak into the surface. You can use plastic wrap for vertical areas to help the products stay in place longer and not run down.
Use a stiff brush to agitate. You can also use a high-pressure water system to remove the graffiti, but be careful of the strength you use with the type of surface to avoid damage. Work from the bottom to the top.
Repeat as necessary. The graffiti will soak into porous surfaces such as stone, brick, and concrete, so it may take several applications.
Needed Tools
You will need to protect yourself. This means rubber gloves and a protective face mask if you are using a chemical.
You will also need some soap and water to rinse an area off. For softer surfaces, use cotton cloths, and for porous areas, you need a stiff bristle brush or scouring pad.
You should also test one small area first before you proceed. Give it time to make sure you get the results you want.
Consider the Surrounding Areas
Before you start treating graffiti, you need to consider the surrounding areas and the impact on the environment. Some of these products can pose a serious environmental threat.
Think about removing the paint. Will the debris come in contact with the environment like nearby trees or water? How will you dispose of these products?
Sandblast Graffiti
If you are looking for a more eco-friendly method to remove graffiti from all surfaces, you may want to consider sandblasting. A graffiti removal service can quickly remove all the graffiti with a mobile blaster.
Looking for Graffiti Removal?
If you are pressed for time or want to have graffiti removed professionally, Blackhawk Blasting is here to help. Our graffiti removal service will blast all the graffiti and get your building restored.
Contact us today for a quote. Let us help you remove the graffiti quickly and in an environmentally-friendly way!