Although quite unpleasant, the problem of cleaning graffiti from a wall and removing paint from the facade is very common. The reason is that drawings and inscriptions on the walls of public and residential buildings, houses, statues and monuments are rarely the result of consent, but rather of vandalism.
In addition, graffiti removal is a complex and time-consuming task that does not always end successfully - especially when we do not use the right tools.
In this material, we will explain how to achieve higher efficiency in the process of removing graffiti from walls and facades.
Graffiti on walls – common and highly problematic
No one denies the beauty of graffiti art. On the contrary - in many places in Bulgaria we have the opportunity to admire examples of unique drawings and frescoes along entire walls and facades.
However, the truth is that, for the most part, graffiti is not a work of art, but inscriptions and scribbles that are far from the place where they are painted. It is extremely disappointing to notice a freshly finished thermally insulated or painted facade, in which considerable funds have been invested, to be painted or scratched without the permission of the owners. In addition, research suggests that the value of buildings painted with graffiti can drop by up to 20%.
This begs the question of how to remove graffiti from walls. However, the truth is that due to its specificity, in a very large number of cases, graffiti is particularly difficult to remove.
Why graffiti removal is a difficult task
How difficult it would be to remove graffiti depends on two main factors - the type of facade and the type and degree of contamination.
The most common facade finishes, such as plasters, embossed facade paints, natural and artificial stone, and others, are similar in their distinct relief structure. In addition, the coatings in question are highly porous (high porosity). When painting them with graffiti, the paint penetrates deep into the structure of the coating and, unlike smoother facade surfaces such as various types of panels, it becomes extremely difficult to remove.
In addition, thanks to innovations in chemistry, the paints and sprays used for the drawings are becoming increasingly high-quality and able to withstand the challenges of time and the impact of aggressive external influences. In a number of cases, paints and sprays designed specifically for auto repair purposes are even used. Thanks to its aggressive composition, this type of coating hardly fades and rarely discolors, even under the influence of prolonged aging, rain and snowfall, industrial and industrial gases, pollution and dust particles, direct sunlight and other features of the environment.
Also, old dirt on facades that have not been cleaned for a long time is an additional challenge to restore the original beautiful appearance of the facade. For this reason, cleaning old graffiti requires more time, patience and effort.
All of these factors explain why combating unregulated graffiti is so time-consuming and expensive. In the US, for example, over $12 billion to combat graffiti. In Bulgaria, the main part of the costs for this type of activity is covered by the owners of the affected property.
Fortunately, however, with the right tools at hand, effective graffiti control doesn't always have to be a costly process.
Special graffiti cleaner - the most affordable and easy way to deal with scratched facades
In addition to being the leading manufacturer of solutions for facade decoration (facade profiles, facade panels, etc.), StyroDesign is also the place where customers and partners find solutions to their cases - from the technical implementation of projects to their reliable operation over time.
To strengthen its role as a trusted partner for your facade decoration project, StyroDesign now offers a special preparation for cleaning graffiti, inks and paints from walls and facades.
The graffiti remover allows the quick removal of inks and paints from all types of natural and artificial stone bases. The preparation allows effective cleaning of graffiti mainly from surfaces with low porosity.
For what cases is the graffiti remover suitable?
The graffiti remover is suitable for a variety of substrates and surfaces including:
- Natural and artificial stone (granite, marble, travertine, etc.)
- Clinker
- Bricks
- Terracotta and granite tiles
- Cement
- Concrete
How to use the graffiti remover?
The preparation is ready for use. Application is by applying the product to a dry surface using a brush, sponge and/or sprayer.
Afterwards, you should let the graffiti remover work for about 15 minutes.
You should then scrub the surface using a soft and/or stiff brush dampened with water. It is advisable to rinse the surface using a water jet or manually with brushes and swabs pre-wetted with water.
The operation can be repeated until the graffiti is removed, following the same technique and procedure.
Composition
The product is non-flammable and easily biodegradable. It is not classified as dangerous for humans and the environment.
The graffiti cleaning product is characterized by a low content of volatile organic compounds, leaving no odors and no dangerous fumes.
Attention: In cases where the base is very porous or the graffiti is old and made with particularly aggressive paints, the graffiti cleaner may completely remove the top layer of the graffiti, but fail to remove the residual shadow highlighting the contour of the pollution. This applies to all graffiti removers available in stores and for non-professional use.
Alternative ways to clean up graffiti
Graffiti and graffiti can also be removed from facades by other methods, including:
- Soapy water and a sponge - this method is the easiest to perform in "home conditions" and without professional intervention, but at the same time it also carries a much greater risk of failure. The method can be successful mainly on smooth surfaces and if the paints used are of a less aggressive composition and freshly applied. With highly porous facades, there is a high probability that you will not be able to remove even a small part of the paint.
- Cleaning with water/sandblasting – these methods use sand, water, or a combination of the two under high pressure. The goal of paint treatment is to remove its individual layers, but it should be borne in mind that its effectiveness depends on a number of factors, including the type of substrate, the abrasives used, the type of paint, etc. It is good that this method is applied by professionals, since the high pressure combined with the abrasives can damage the integrity of the base.
There are also different methods of pre-protecting surfaces from graffiti. With them, the facade is treated with special "anti-graffiti" preparations, which make it resistant to paints and sprays. It should be borne in mind, however, that the procedure must be repeated periodically, since the preparations used last a certain number of cycles of washing the facade. In addition, these processes also require a more serious budget. There is also a risk that, when working with unsuitable preparations, the vapor permeability of the base will be impaired or it will be colored or stained.