Graffiti Archives - Basildon Stone Limited

Graffiti is commonplace around the world and has even gained street art status in the eyes of millions. But unless you’ve given outright consent, any graffiti on your property is nothing but vandalism.

Although most graffiti can be removed using soapy water or basic cleaning solutions, some amount of damage to the surface is unavoidable. This damage can even be permanent as the surface’s character can change as a result of the paint’s action. Because of this, permanent graffiti removal can become very hard, if not impossible.

That said, timely action can get you significant success in removing graffiti. Here we look at how to remove graffiti from different surfaces.

METAL SURFACES

Paint can be cleaned off metal surfaces more efficiently than all other surfaces, except glass. The most effective way is to scrub the paint off using a paint thinner. Commonly available paint thinners include lacquer thinner, mineral spirits and acetone. You can use off-the-shelf graffiti removal products for the purpose as well.

You can also try removing the paint by scrubbing with bronze or steel wool or even light sandpaper. If none of them work, a high pressure power-wash should help matters.

WOODEN SURFACES

You could try removing the graffiti by wiping the wooden surface using mineral spirits, provided the wood is not the weathered kind and has been sealed with stain, sealer or paint. As with metal surfaces, you could also try a power-wash at high pressure for wooden surfaces. However, ensure the pressure does not cause the paint to go deeper into the grain as that would make it almost impossible to remove the graffiti.

If neither of those approaches work, sanding the affected areas of the wooden surface and repainting them is the only viable alternative.

PLASTIC SURFACES

Most people prefer to replace the affected part, rather than try removing the graffiti, as plastic is cheap. However, if replacing is not possible or expensive, you can use highly fine bronze or steel wool to rub away the paint. Avoid paint thinners or other graffiti removal chemicals as they cause the plastic to go soft, which can lead to permanent tackiness or clouding.

GLASS SURFACES

As mentioned previously, removing graffiti is easy when it’s a glass surface. Almost all paint can be scraped off the glass surface using a fine razor blade. Another useful method is to use highly fine bronze wool and water to softly rub off the paint. Paint thinners are also quite effective at dislodging paint from glass surfaces.

MASONRY

The most effective way to remove graffiti from masonry is to give it a power-wash at high pressure. If that doesn’t work, sand-blasting should do the trick. Sand-blasting is a process that uses a jet of sand to clean a surface. Powered by steam or air, sand-blasters are highly effective at removing paint off masonry. However, it needs to be done carefully because if the sandblasting tip remains at one point for too long, it can lead to permanent etching of the surface.

There are also certain industrial graffiti removal products that you can use to remove the graffiti from a stone, concrete or brick surface. However, these products require careful handling and are best left to graffiti removal professionals.

TOOLS FOR REMOVING GRAFFITI FROM PAINTED SURFACES

Graffiti can be a stubborn problem, especially when you want to preserve the paint underneath.

In order to remove the graffiti, you will need a few tools including some safety equipment to ensure that you won’t be harmed by the procedure.

WEAR SAFETY GLASSES

It might sound like an over-reaction, but safety glasses should be worn whenever you use a strong solvent or fine particles to blast away the graffiti.

The glasses will protect your eyes from harm and allow you to work in more comfortable conditions.

USE A DUST MASK

You may also wish to wear a mask to cover your nose and mouth to prevent inhaling any of the solvents of fine particles.

This is another way to make the removal process more comfortable.

Even when you are using a safer method like steam cleaning, you never know what the graffiti removal may reveal.

Safety is paramount.

CLOTHS, BRUSHES & BAGS

As you work along the wall removing the graffiti, you will need cloths, brushes and bags to wipe away the mess and clear up after yourselves.

Make sure that you use thick bin bags and dispose of the waste responsibly.

top tips for removing graffiti from painted surfaces

HOW TO REMOVE GRAFFITI FROM PAINTED SURFACES

There are a few methods you could try to remove graffiti from painted surfaces.

Your best bet is to call in a professional graffiti removal company service provider who will be able to use their specialist equipment to deal with the problem.

USE ACETONE

Most commonly used as the key ingredient in nail polish remover, acetone can be used with a cloth to wipe away graffiti.

You should make sure that you wear protective glasses, a dust mask and gloves while using this method to protect your eyes and skin.

All you need to do is pour a little acetone onto your cloth and rub carefully on the graffiti to remove it.

This method is effective on many types of graffiti, but it may leave you with an ugly splotch where the graffiti was if you are too enthusiastic.

Obviously, this isn’t ideal, but it may be quite effective for removing magic markers.

Dispose of your cloths properly as acetone is highly flammable.

TRY A SPECIALIST GEL

There are several products on the market that claim to remove graffiti using a gel solution.

These products work well on most surfaces including painted walls – just check the pack before you buy.

Use the gel according to the instructions given, making sure that you wash it all away properly.

Again, this method needs some effort to wipe away the graffiti and you must ensure that the cloths you use are disposed of properly.

USE PROFESSIONALS FOR REMOVING GRAFFITI FROM PAINTED SURFACES

SAND BLASTING

A common solution for graffiti is sandblasting.

With precision and control, the sand can be used to remove only the top layer, getting rid of the graffiti while leaving the paint behind.

While this method is relatively quick and easy, you do run the risk of removing some of the paint if the sandblaster is used too much.

However, a professional graffiti removal expert will be able to minimise the damage to your paintwork.

STEAM CLEANING

A final method for removing graffiti is to use simple steam power.

Instead of using sand, a jet of hot water and steam is used to remove the graffiti, leaving the paintwork underneath unscathed.

This is an eco-friendly method but it does require the skills of a professional cleaner.

APPLY AN ANTI GRAFFITI COATING

Once you have finished removing graffiti from painted surfaces and your wall is clear of graffiti, you should consider using an anti-graffiti coating to ensure easier cleaning next time around.

This is a simple and invisible solution that will help to prevent the graffiti spray paint from penetrating its surface.

With this method, even if you can’t stop the vandals you can speed up the process of removing graffiti from painted surfaces quickly and without a fuss.

The way you refer to graffiti art can often indicate your feeling towards it.

The people that partake in graffiti usually know it as “street art” or graffiti art.

It’s a culture that’s all about painting designated urban walls and adding a splash of colour to otherwise boring locations.

It can give a city its personality and when used correctly, it can look great.

However, there’s another form of graffiti known as tagging.

Tagging is seen as a nuisance and can ruin otherwise gorgeous communities.

Landmarks and cities with random words and un-creative spray painting can be harmful.

THE HISTORY OF GRAFFITI ART

Graffiti itself could be traced back to ancient times.

There have been examples of graffiti in the Roman Empire, Ancient Greece and even Ancient Egypt.

These were done with carvings and other sorts of traditional art tools.

This differs greatly from the modern day usage of marker pens and spray cans.

In many countries of the world, graffiti is seen as a nuisance and a crime.

It is often performed on a property without the owner’s permission.

Graffiti is often times considered a crime of vandalism and defacement.

This can be severely punished in some countries.

This is a far cry from the organised culture of street art.

Permission is given for street artists to paint and design at-will on designated walls or locations.

GRAFFITI & GANG CULTURE

Graffiti and gang culture have always gone hand in hand.

Gang graffiti is a term that refers to the use of graffiti as a tool to mark a gang’s territory.

It is made to intimidate members of other gangs.

This is used to instil fear into a neighbourhood and keep it under their control.

In some cases, graffiti can be used to communicate between gangs to register challenges or as a show of power.

This can often lead to gang-related violence.

Innocent residents are often put through stressful times and violent attacks as a result of these gang-related graffiti wars.

HISTORY OF GRAFFITI ART AS A REBELLIOUS TOOL

Graffiti is also used as a tool for rebellion.

It can be used to express unpopular or underground views of a political nature.

Occasionally it can be linked to anarchist and feminist messages.

The London Underground is often used as a canvas for these political messages because of the foot traffic it receives.

In other countries like Germany, hate graffiti is common in major cities such as Berlin.

Neo-Nazi groups commonly use graffiti to spread hate messages around the city.

There are community efforts to turn this hateful graffiti art into something positive or remove them outright.

GRAFFITI AS ADVERTISING

Graffiti also has a history of being used for advertising purposes.

Sometimes the advertising is subtle and blends into the street art scene.

Other times it’s completely illegal and only used to promote a service.

Illegal advertising and graffiti can often be found on:

business properties
social housing
bridges
underpasses
even parks

Local councils have to deal with these nuisances by investing time and money into a graffiti removal company to remove these problems.

It can cost a lot of money in the long-run.

THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF GRAFFITI ON THE COMMUNITY

Property owners and business owners suffer heavily when their properties are marked by illegal graffiti.

Cleanup costs are not cheap and if the graffiti is not removed, it can generate a negative image for the business itself.

Graffiti Art can also devalue property because it usually indicates a rough neighbourhood.

The image of the community itself is affected as well.

Although some communities embrace the culture of urban street art.

It’s a huge difference from tagging and hateful or illegal messages being spread around.

Graffiti is a crime and if it is rampant in a community, it could indicate many social problems.

That needs to be resolved before it gets worse.

CONCLUSION

A lot of taxpayer money is wasted on cleaning up Graffiti Art instead of improving the community.

Money is wasted rather than being invested in upgrading schools or tidying up other areas that are in dire need of renovating.

Gang graffiti can often decrease the well-being of community members.

Why?

People live in fear of gang violence that could occur at any moment.

It serves as a reminder that gang activity is high in the area.

While graffiti has a negative impact on communities, when it is performed as street art in designated areas it can have some positive effect.

However, the majority of uses for Graffiti Art are often associated with crime and negative behaviour.

For this reason it is why it is not condoned and should not be supported.

How to Remove Graffiti from Different Surfaces