Graffiti Removal: Be Prepared

Graffiti removal after the fact is a long and costly process. Learn what you can do to prevent vandalism on your property in the first place!

We think you’d agree that vandalism is a hindrance to a community. This is particularly true when it comes to graffiti.
“Graffiti comes from the Greek word graphein, meaning, ‘to write.’ Today, graffiti ranges from simple, one-color monikers (like a nickname), called ‘tags’ and repeated on many surfaces to complex compositions of several colors” (Take Back the Wall).

When property vandalism by way of graffiti litters your schools, businesses and streets, it shows visitors that no one cares to stop these kinds of vandalizing acts. Unfortunately, this welcomes other forms of crime and dereliction, leading residents to feel unsafe in their neighborhood. To combat this misconduct from happening in the first place, and to remove it after the fact, we have a few suggestions for you to consider:

Stop graffiti in its tracks

In terms of protecting your property from graffiti, you have several options:

You could try using an environmental design, such as thorny bushes, to make it more difficult for people with mal-intent to reach the surface of your exterior.
Also, making sure the surrounding area is well lit will deter loiters from the area, as it is unlikely they will want to stand there long.

If your property is a frequent victim of graffiti, using an anti-graffiti coating is an excellent way to protect against it. Usually, when graffiti is painted onto a wall, a solvent or abrasive chemical solution is necessary to remove it, in unison with pressure washing. However, with the implementation of anti-graffiti coating, removing graffiti becomes a lot easier. Some of the best solutions on the market are:

Benjamin Moore’s Aliphatic Urethane- Gloss (V500)

These products make it so that a simple pressure wash alone removes any graffiti that is defacing the wall. What’s more is that because it is a clear coating, it allows the color of your building to show through, keeping your branding intact. These coatings will save you money and time, as you won’t have to constantly purchase expensive chemicals and implement a long removal process.

Research shows that the best way to deter graffiti is through rapid removal (within a 24-48 hour timeframe) in addition to education on the issue. With this new paint/coating technology, communities can prevent decreasing “property values, loss of business growth and tourism, and reduced ridership on transit systems” (City of Salina).

Remove Existing Graffiti Now

So, what do you do if you already have graffiti on your building?

As discussed earlier, the best method of removing graffiti is pressure washing. Hire a pressure-washing contractor to remove the defacement, and then have them apply a topcoat to protect the surface, such as the ones recommended above.