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Graffiti has become a common problem that can target any building. As a homeowner, graffiti on your fence will affect its original beauty. Therefore, you should employ the best techniques to keep those who enjoy painting art on your fence at bay. However, if you wake up one morning and realise there is graffiti on your fence, it is imperative that you remove it immediately. This piece takes a closer look at some of the best ways on how to remove graffiti from a wooden fence.

Removing Graffiti from wood tips

1. Try to identify the mode of application

The sooner you get rid of graffiti from wood, the easier it is to clean. Therefore, before you start removing it, take time to identify the mode of application, the type of wood you need to clean and the best technique that will ensure you get rid of the paint efficiently.

Hard and smooth wood surfaces are often easy to clean. If the wood is rough and porous, it might take a long time for you to remove graffiti. This means you need to identify the materials used to apply graffiti to clean the wood fence. Some of the conventional materials used in the application of graffiti include:

Grease pencils
Spray paint
Water based paint
Stickers
Crayons
Shoe polish
Spray paint among others

The tools you will need for graffiti removal

Thick protective gloves
A face mask
A solvent
Pressure washer
Spray bottle
Safety glasses
A sponge, preferably one that has a soft and a rough side
A household cleaner, bleach-based and non-bleach cleaners

2. Choose an effective removal method

It is essential that you try to remove graffiti using water, soap and a soft brush.

Alternatively, use graffiti removal products including denatured alcohol for pen and spray paints. They are an easy way to get rid of the graffiti as opposed to painting over it. What’s more, it eliminates the need and the difficulty of achieving the same consistency as that of the original paint.

How to remove graffiti from wood fence

Before you start removing graffiti from wood, take time to identify whether the wood is finished or unfished. Often, fences made of rot-resistant wood and cedar are usually left unfinished. This means removing graffiti from these types of wood is quite simple. You need to start by cleaning graffiti as soon as you discover it on your wooden fence. If the paint sits on the wood for long, it will be absorbed deeper into the wood.

graffiti removal wood

Begin by spraying down the graffiti with a stream of clean water using a garden hose. This is to wet the wood and to let the paint dissolve. Once the water is sufficiently soaked, you need to use a power washed spray wand and a medium angle nozzle, to clean by passing water across the graffiti. It helps to strip away the paint. Ensure that you maintain the stripe pattern to avoid creating unsightly marks on the fence.

To achieve the best results as you try to remove graffiti from a wooden fence, you need to clean as you hold the spray wand away from the fence. You can easily cut or gouge the wood if you hold the wand close to the fence.

If you realise that a medium angle nozzle is not getting rid of the graffiti as desired, consider using a narrow-angle nozzle for more power. It will work effectively while maintaining a consistent spray pattern and reasonable space between the fence and the nozzle. Once all the paint is out, let the wood dry up, then use sandpaper to clear any traces of paint. Sand the wood until you achieve a clear appearance.

If the wooden fence is relatively new and with no sign of wear and tear, use spirit or acetone to remove the graffiti. These products work by thinning the paint, and within a few minutes, the wood will be clear. However, if the fence is old, and shows a number of weathering signs, avoid the use of spirit. This is because the paint will absorb deeper into the old wood. In this case, it is highly recommended that you use a jet pressure washer.

Apply pressure from the outside edges as you work towards the graffiti inwards. The paint will start to fade away. The rule of thumb with this technique is that you need to be patient. With continuous cleaning, the graffiti will be removed.

Remove spray paint from wood made from vinyl

Remove Graffiti from vinyl wood fence

If the wood is made from vinyl, you can remove graffiti by first washing it with soapy water. Apply the solution to the wood fence using a soft sponge and try to remove the graffiti by scrubbing lightly. If the graffiti is still fresh, the solution will get rid of the paint immediately or instantly.

However, if the solution doesn’t work, you will need a solvent to loosen and get rid of the paint. You will find an array of graffiti removal products in the market. Choose a general purpose product that includes a petroleum solvent or mineral spirit. Consider a solvent that will not corrode the wood. Wipe out the graffiti using a large sponge soaked in the solvent. Clean periodically to ensure it cleans without damaging the vinyl.

Remove spray paint from wood fence- extra tips

While graffiti is considered a form of artistic expression on street walls, it is not acceptable or appreciated in wooden fences and buildings. Therefore if you have a wooden fence, you need to be extra careful and take note of any graffiti and try to remove it as soon as it occurs.

One of the most logical ways to remove graffiti from painted wood is through the use of a high-pressure system. However, it can easily damage the wood. Take time to work slowly as you target the painted area only.

Never use baking soda on wood even though it works best on removing graffiti from concrete surfaces.

Regardless of the method, you use to remove graffiti, ensure it doesn’t spread to the areas that are not affected by the paint.

Take care as you remove graffiti to ensure efficient cleaning. Take note of traces that could cause permanent damage on your wood fence.

How to remove graffiti from wood door step by step guide

Gather all the needed materials and cleaning products before you start to remove graffiti from wood.
Cover the surfaces that are not affected by graffiti.
Safety is crucial, put on protective rubber gloves and goggles.
Soak a cleaning sponge in a paint thinner, press and rub to the area with graffiti. If the paint has dried up, hold on the sponge to the graffiti for a little longer to soak the paint and remove it efficiently.
Learn how to remove graffiti from wood siding using the best graffiti removal products. Purchase non-corrosive paint to remove spray paint without damaging your wood fence.
Use a power washer and set it to the recommended power level and spray directly to the area affected by graffiti. This enhances your chances of successfully removing graffiti. It is however imperative to note that this step may remove or peel off the finish you have in your fence. As a result, you may need to reapply the finish once you have removed all the graffiti.
Ensure you know how to remove graffiti from a wood fence and finish the process with sandpaper. Normal sandpaper will get the job done, but if you have a lot of graffiti on the fence, it is wise to get orbital sandpaper to work on the entire area. A detour sander is an excellent choice if the graffiti is painted on a larger area.
Understand how to remove graffiti from a wooden fence an old and new fence. Similarly, know what techniques to use on fresh graffiti and old graffiti. This will help you to work efficiently without damaging the unaffected area.
If the graffiti is completely off, paint your fence to restore its aesthetic appeal. Prime the fence first if you choose to paint the entire fence. A primer works best on exterior surfaces and you can choose your most preferred house paint colour to change the overall look of your wooden fence.

Professional Graffiti removal

Once you have tried the above graffiti removal techniques and you realise that you did not achieve the desired results, consider professional graffiti removal services. Many companies offer quality cleaning and graffiti removal services. They provide efficient services and at the most affordable prices. Therefore, you will be able to remove spray paint from the wood floor, wood fence and other places with graffiti.

Professionals use the most advanced paint removal products that work safely on a wide range of wood surfaces. Furthermore, professionals use low pressure and high-pressure washers that penetrate deeper into the most stubborn graffiti to ensure the surface is clean.

Whether you want to remove spray paint from wood furniture or to remove spray paint from the wood deck, you can count on expert techniques. They have the skills to get rid of graffiti without damaging your wood fence or wood floor. Different service providers use a graffiti remover spray and other techniques that will ensure the beauty of your fence is restored. Therefore, take time to get a competent and reliable graffiti removal company that not only understands how do to remove graffiti from a wood fence but also guarantees the best possible results.

Basildon Stone is a professional brick and stone cleaning expert that will help you to restore the natural beauty of your property, through quality graffiti removal techniques.

Graffiti is the commonest form of vandalism in the United Kingdom, and other nations across the globe. The building owners are left with the time-consuming task of cleaning after the vandals. It is for this reason that the authorities and building cleaners recommend that you find ways of preventing graffiti. How can this be achieved? Well, this article offers you all the details.

What is Graffiti?

Graffiti can be defined as words, shapes, and colours drawn or scratched on surfaces. It is done without permission, and may be designed to create a sense of fear or tension to the public. It can also encourage criminal activities such as rioting. Some of the areas at risk include: streets with high traffic, zones near schools, and around the parks. Abandoned buildings and garage doors are targeted as well.

An example of graffiti is shown below:

If you own or have leased a building, you should clean graffiti immediately to avoid sending the wrong message to the public. This costs a lot of money and time. The best option is to prevent it. Here are the top tips on how to achieve this:

1. Have Proper Lighting in Your Building

Graffiti artists are drawn to poorly lit areas. They work during the night to avoid attracting public attention and arrests. By ensuring that vulnerable walls are well lit, you will have discouraged the activity. Just in case you are thinking about saving on costs of energy, you can utilize motion sensors in your lighting system.

2. Use Anti-Graffiti Laminate Coatings

Various coatings are used to protect the surfaces from graffiti. One of them is the sacrificial coating, which come in form of a spray and are designed to create a barrier on the surface. If graffiti is found, pressure cleaning is done to remove it and the coating.

The second type of coating is the semi-sacrificial barrier. More protection is offered to the surface. High pressure cleaning and chemicals are used to remove the graffiti and coating. You must hence reapply it.

Third, you can use permanent coating. It is more expensive than other options. The coating is made in such a way that the spray paint does not stick to the wall. The graffiti is removed using solvents. The coating does not need to be reapplied after cleaning.

Besides using the three coatings describe here, you can go for an anti-climb paint. The oil-based does not dry, and as such, it is difficult for people to climb the walls.

When looking for the right coating or paint, it is critical to answer the following questions:

Do you need to change the signs and exterior décor in a building regularly?
How often is graffiti seen in your area?
What is your budget?

It does not make sense to spend too much on coatings, if you are likely to paint your walls or change the signs often. Sacrificial and semi-sacrificial coatings may be better option in this case.

Furthermore, vandalism is likely to take place at certain times such as during political campaigns. As such, you must strategize accordingly. You may want to use an anti-climb paint during such moments. Still, you must consider the costs of labour and buying the coatings.

3. Landscaping

Graffiti is effectively prevented when you have bushes and shrubs with thorns growing near the walls. It will be difficult for the artists to paint the walls effectively. Since the plants will take a while to grow, you may want to combine it with other methods such as proper lighting and use of coatings.

Moreover, you can use an ornamental mesh on your wall. It must be installed closely to the wall so that access is limited. A close-woven mesh is better than others because the artists cannot climb over it.

Also Check
How to Clean Natural Stone

Still, showing the public that an area is under your care will help eliminate vandalism. The artists target areas that seem abandoned yet accessible by the community. Always ensure that your home or office is clean and manicured.

4. Go For Multi-Coloured Designs

Graffiti is always visible when a wall is painted using one colour. You can discourage it by using many and dark colours on the wall. Also, trying some art work with a consideration of your exterior space décor or business needs is worthwhile. Adding some texture to the paint, for instance, makes it difficult for an artist to exercise their creative prowess.

5. Install Security Cameras

People engaging in vandalism avoid areas with security cameras, since the authorities will identify and arrest them. You should, therefore, invest in a surveillance system. At the same time, you must appreciate that the criminals can interfere with the system’s functioning. Fortunately, technology has evolved to the extent that manufacturers are coming up with cameras that can be hidden easily. You will view the activities at the comfort of your home using a Smartphone and take the necessary security measures henceforth.

6. Organize an Awareness Campaign

Some of the people involved in graffiti painting are usually unaware of the costs involved in cleaning it. They also feel justified based on the issues that they hope to address, and may not be aware of the legal implications. Coming up with a campaign to educate the public on such issues may help in the prevention process. You can come up with meetings and invite law enforcers and youths at risk. It is also important to put up a warning sign in your building.
It may be daunting to organize a campaign on graffiti prevention, if you are uneducated about the issue. Find information on the demographic involved in the crime and the relevant laws. By conducting simple surveys and making observations, you will obtain all the data required in your campaigns.

7. File the Complaints with the Authorities

Many building owners find it easier and cost-efficient to clean graffiti than going to the authorities. However, the law breakers will continue to engage in the activity in your area, if the case is not reported to the police. They should be arrested and fined accordingly.

While making reports, you must:

Take photographs of the incidence. It will help solidify your case in the justice system.
Try to come up with an analysis of the vandal behaviour.
Show some sense of consistency in gathering information.
Advertise the activity so that other affected groups can support your initiative.

8. Remove the Graffiti Immediately

One of the major drives for graffiti artists is to paint at night and have an entire world staring at their work the next day. It will be a waste of time and energy if the art work is removed before few or no one sees it. They will avoid your walls in the future.

Want To Know Graffiti Removal Tips?
Check This: HOW TO REMOVE GRAFFITI

9. Join a Local Watch Group

If you open your eyes, you will be amazed to know that they are many people in your community that are affected and weary of graffiti. It is important to find and join groups dedicated to eliminating the crime, as it helps you to find the relevant information such as source of funding for the projects. Social media is the ideal and easiest way of finding such support.

10. Build Transparent Fencing

High solid fences attract graffiti artists and as such, you may want to go for the transparent fences. Railings, for instance, will provide all the protection needed in your home or office while at the same time discouraging vandalism.

Just In Case You Cannot Prevent Graffiti

There are instances when graffiti may not be prevented, and you will be required to clean it efficiently and effectively. The following tips will help you through:

Find the best graffiti removal products. Harsh and weak chemicals leave your walls damaged to the end that you may be forced to do costly repairs. It will also affect your health. The perfect products should be safe, easy to use, and non-toxic.
Utilize the right cleaning techniques. Be aware of all cleaning details to achieve effectiveness in graffiti removal. For example, you should know how long you must wait after spraying the graffiti before wiping it away. It is also vital to distinguish between tough and weak graffiti marks.
Budget well. Cleaning graffiti can be extremely expensive, if you are dealing with expansive walls. You must find budget well with the consideration to issues such as the cost of labour and purchasing the necessary products. Also, find out how much the company is willing to cover if you are insured. The authorities may also be willing to cover some of the costs.

Ultimately, it is possible to prevent graffiti in your area. Measures such as use of protective coatings, proper lighting, landscaping, and raising awareness are worth trying. You should also engage an experienced and reputable company to remove the graffiti immediately. One of such companies is the Basildon Stone Limited. It specializes in cleaning stone and brick facades within and beyond London and Essex. The experts use tried, tested, and approved methods of cleaning and hence, all clients are assured of getting value for money.

The structural heritage of our home is something we all like to preserve for long. Even though we know that we won’t be able to stay alive forever to cherish the memorable corners of the house, we wish it stays erect throughout the years so that people can admire the architectural structure and praise our choice.

But setting the trends with the designs and structure of the buildings is not as easy as it seems, more so, when the buildings are made up of stone or brick finishing. The adverse climatic conditions or the prolonged non-maintained property issues take a toll on the building structure at times and summons it to damage and decay.

The materials become shredding and the colouration becomes faded, which does not at all look good visually, let alone being efficient in holding the structure for long. The stone or bricks in the house need to be treated frequently either by the homeowners or the experts in the niche, to have control over any kind of trouble that bothers the quality of the materials and compromises with the sustenance as well. However, we as stone cleaning experts use latest trends and technologies to clean the structural heritage.

We are going to discuss such few techniques here, which are setting trends in the stone cleaning department. Let’s explore

Pressure washing

As is evident by the name, pressure washing of the stone surfaces refers to cleaning it entirely by the powerful water spray to doze off any kind of dirt accumulation or building up of mosses or grime on the stone surfaces. As we all well aware of the fact that water pressure has immense power in it, whereby this technique is used by the stone cleaners to get rid of dirt and other pollutant accumulation on the stone surface. But one must take precautions before applying this technique as any loose end on the stone fixation or other such factors can lead to more damages to the surface than the regular dirt and all!

Torc cleaning

This kind of stone cleaning is used for removal of hard stains, paints, grease, graffiti, etc. from the stone surfaces. This technique is mostly used in case of masonry buildings and structural heritages and uses a combination of compressed air, water, fine abrasive to clean the stone surfaces. The paint coatings or brittle soiling are also removed by implementing this technique.

Wet treatment

This treatment of stone cleaning mainly involves using soaps, detergents, organic cleaning agents and non-harming chemicals to clean the stone surfaces of dirt and other pollutant accumulation. You can use a soft cloth or other such cleaning agents to wash off the dirt and thereby manage the wet treatments through the easiest way possible.

Latex cleaning

It is a challenging and difficult technique to clean the stone structures but the experts in the business can handle the woes well. The latex is used to form a membrane upon the stony surfaces and it has the ability to clean off years of dirt and soil deposits from the stone surfaces very easily. It takes time and labour but the end result pays off well.

Regular inspecting and cleaning

Apart from all other techniques of stone cleaning and maintenance, there is no other substitute like regular inspection and cleaning of the stone surfaces. It is beneficial in many ways and any damage and dirt accumulation can be detected and treated well in advance before any severe damage to the surfaces. It is understandable that taking time out for regular maintenance of the stony surfaces is a bit difficult for people these days who lead a busy life and hustles everyday between professional and personal commitments, managing it at least once a while can be beneficial for them in many ways and save them greater hazards in the long run.

To conclude,

We all want our house to look good, be it the interiors or the exteriors! But sometimes, due to lack of knowledge for the same or being short of time to look after the facade cleaning, we tend to lose out on the cleaning department for long. And one fine day, when the damages become noticeable and it starts to show delicate signs of erosion, do we realize that it needs cleaning and maintenance.

This Is more likely to happen when the exteriors or interiors are made of stone; as with passing time and non-maintenance of the stones, it becomes delicately stained or destructive and thus, starts becoming eroded until it Is taken care of well. So, it is highly recommended to the homeowners to take out some time to clean the stone surfaces regularly or at least opt for complete cleaning treatments once in a while so that it does not lead to severe damages in the long run.

Exterior cleaning of the building is periodic maintenance activity which has to take place at least once in a year. Reason being, the atmospheric pollutants, biological growth, algae and other stains caused by moisture or prolonged dampness on the exterior of the building gradually damages the beauty and structure of the building.

Any exterior cleaning activity should be done by an experienced contractor who has the better knowledge of the process, which will make the overall activity hassle free for you. This activity primarily involves brick cleaning and stone cleaning, paint and graffiti removal, window restoration and rooftop cleaning from the building.

Cleaning can be performed by various methods such as chemical cleaning, or using environment-friendly substitutes, pressurized cold or hot water wash. Be careful while cleaning terra cotta, masonry or stone surfaces as they are delicate and prone to damage easily.

Graffiti and paint removal from the surface like wood, will need an extra care during the process. However, removing from the metal can be an easy one. Window restoration is a time-consuming activity as it needs minute attention while repairing the sides and corners. Rooftop repairing is hard to do a task, because finding a small leak is a bit difficult, and that can eventually damage your adjacent walls. Hence, always consult a professional for these activities, because taking these activities as the DIY project can backfire land you in trouble. Look for the infographics tips, it can yield you the some of the best results.

Buildings are large, strong and durable. They are built to stand tall for decades together. These decades, however, take a toll on a building and more specifically, it’s exterior. This external surface is what takes the most amount of abuse from elements like rain, extreme temperatures, pollution, vegetation growth and general dirt and grime. Over a period of time, these elements damage a building’s surface to varying degrees and mar its appearance.

That said, there are ways in which these damages can be undone and a building’s glory restored. To start with, stone cleaning services are excellent to restore the appearance of stone buildings, of which there are thousands in London. A firm offering stone cleaning in London clears damage caused to the stone surface by pollutants, dust, and moss and algae. Although strong and durable, stone can suffer damage after years of continuous exposure to these elements. In the worst case scenario, water or ice could enter any cracks in the stone and cause damage to the inner steel structure. So in addition to defacing the building, these elements can also destabilise it. With stone cleaning and surface protection, all blemishes are removed, leaks and cracks plugged, and the surface is reinforced to keep any damage at bay for the next several years.

The same can also be said for brick buildings. Brickwork can suffer frost attack, staining, efflorescence, lime run-off and different kinds of stain. Collectively, these issues spoil the building’s look and make it appear a lot older than it actually is. This is where brick cleaning services step in as they can make your brickwork look fresh as a daisy.

Environmental factors aside, certain types of building damages have human origins. Graffiti is one such example. Numerous buildings in London spend hundreds of thousands of pounds in battling the menace that is graffiti. While there’s a belief that painting over graffiti is an effective way to cover it up, it isn’t true. Not only does it fail to remove graffiti completely but also requires a lot of money. Graffiti removal, on the other hand, removes graffiti without leaving a trace and is cheaper than painting, especially in the long term.

How to Remove Graffiti from Wood