Graffiti is a type of street art that’s supported and criticised in similar measures. The least loved is characterised by doodled writings and basic drawings in bright colours.
Getting rid of graffiti on a flat surface isn’t that complicated. You need soapy water and a cloth, and the paint will be gone. However, removing graffiti on rough surfaces requires patience and hard work.
1. Removing Graffiti From Metal
Metalwork is among the most common surfaces where graffiti is likely to be found. Fortunately, since metal is a non-porous material, getting rid of graffiti on metalwork isn't as challenging as dealing with bricks or wood. To successfully remove graffiti on metalwork easily and fast, you need spirit-based thinners like lacquer thinner, white spirit, or acetone.
Once you apply these thinners to the spray paint, it will begin to thin and peel. However, if you experience challenges removing some graffiti paint, consider using something more robust, such as wire wool or light sandpaper.
If, after trying thinners, wire wool, or sandpaper, some parts of the graffiti still won’t budge, try using a pressure washer. Pressure washing the metalwork to get rid of graffiti should work without failing.
2. Removing Graffiti On Brick Structure
Graffiti artists like to showcase their talent on brick surfaces. It might be because the surface provides an attractive black canvas for such work. However, removing graffiti on brick surfaces isn’t a walk in the park since they’re porous. That said, you should be extra careful when performing such a task to avoid damaging the bricks.
You'll need a remover gel when removing graffiti on a brick structure. Use a cloth or soft brush to apply the gel to the paint. Once each part of the paint is covered with graffiti remover gel, allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes before rinsing it with a garden hose or water compressor.
Though you can still remove it on a brick surface with soft sandpaper, ensure to be cautious to avoid scratching it. In such a case, you’ll need a sealer to protect the pores after graffiti removal.
3. Removing Graffiti From Woodwork
Another surface that’s not easy to remove graffiti from is woodwork. Nevertheless, it’s still achievable. If you’re dealing with a new fence with no signs of weathering, wipe the surface with either acetone or white spirit to thin the paint before removing it. If the woodwork has signs of withering, avoid using spirits since they’ll only encourage the paint to absorb further into the wood.
In the case of withered woodwork, consider using a pressure washer to remove spray paint quickly. The graffiti will peel persistently once you pressure wash from the outer edges as you work your way inside. If these hacks fail to remove the paint from the woodwork, the only solution might be to repaint the surface using dark-coloured paint that can conceal the graffiti.
4. Erasing Graffiti On Plastic Surface
Plastics don’t bond well with paint. Therefore, erasing graffiti from such surfaces isn’t challenging. Nevertheless, you should avoid using aggressive thinners or spirited chemicals since they can react with the material. In such an event, the plastic surface will soften, causing a blurred finish that might not be repairable.
A good-quality nail polish remover or acetone should help you remove the paint from a plastic surface. If this doesn’t work, try rubbing extra-fine wire wool against the surface. Avoid using sandpaper since they might interfere with surface integrity.
5. Removing Graffiti From Glass Surface
Shaving is the ideal way to remove graffiti on a grass surface. Before anything else, apply hot soapy water on the surface using a clean cloth. Allow the water to rest for a minute or two. Then, using a razor, crap the paint off the surface. If this fails, use a paint thinner instead of hot soapy water. Once you’re done, rinse the surface with clean water.
6. Removing Graffiti From Masonry Or Stucco
Removing graffiti from an uneven surface is the greatest nightmare. It requires more than scraping. However, you can handle the task more efficiently with a pressure washer. Consider sandblasting if the paint doesn’t budge, even with a pressure washer. But remember, a tiny mistake when sandblasting masonry or stucco can affect the structure. For this reason, you must be very careful and ensure the tip moves the entire time. Once you’re done sandblasting, and the paint isn’t visible, seal the surface or coat it with fresh paint.
How to Prevent Graffiti Vandalism
Based on the information above, it’s evident that removing graffiti on surfaces is a significant task, especially if the painting is on a rough surface. For this reason, it might be wise to prevent it rather than deal with the aftermath. Among the ways to prevent graffiti vandalism include the following:
1. Planting Vegetation By The Walls Or Fences
Graffiti artists require even surfaces where their work can easily be seen. With that in mind, it’ll be a great move if you make this impossible. Consider installing a trellis on your walls or fence to make them uneven. You can also plant climbing or thorny plants to conceal the surfaces.
2. Use Dark Paint On Your Surfaces
Painting your walls and fences with dark colours equals saying goodbye to graffitied surfaces. This type of art is noticeable on bright surfaces, which means dark ones will be a no-go zone for graffiti artists. Always have extra paint in case an artist experiments on your dark-coloured walls.
3. Maintain Your Property
A clean, tidy, and groomed property shows that the owner cares about it. For this reason, any graffiti artist will think twice before applying any paint on the walls. It’s also wise to encourage neighbours to keep their properties tidy to prevent graffiti vandalism. Remember, your property’s state will either encourage or discourage graffiti.
4. Install Unattractive Fencing
Consider investing in a metal cyclone if you’re electing new fencing or replacing the existing one. You can also install a natural fence such as bush reed or bamboo. An uneven surface isn’t ideal for graffiti, and such fences make it difficult to spray paint. Even if they do, the graffiti will be challenging to study, which isn’t what the graffiti artists want. Regardless of the type of fencing you choose, ensure it isn’t flat.
5. Install Anti-Graffiti Film
Among the most cost-effective ways to prevent graffiti vandalism is installing anti-graffiti film. It's among the widely used effective ways for discouraging vandalism on surfaces and windows. Once installed, the anti-graffiti film is almost invisible. Besides preventing vandalism, this film also eliminates regular glass replacement. It’s believed that window replacement is costlier than an anti-graffiti film by over three times.
6. Light-Up Your Property
Graffitists usually work in the dark when they aren’t recognisable. Therefore, improving the lighting can scare them away and protect your property. Consider investing in motion-detecting lights to save energy and avoid excessive energy bills.
When installing lighting, place them in hard-to-access points. Otherwise, they’ll be vandalised alongside the walls.
7. Monitor Your Property
Let the authorities know you don’t condone graffiti on your surfaces. Alternatively, hire a property guard to watch the most vulnerable property. Graffitists are less likely to try their art on your surfaces with someone on-site. With time, they’ll get discouraged and leave the property alone.
Graffiti vandalism is a serious problem that can affect your property. Thus, it's better to know some preventions than to deal with the damages caused by vandalism.
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