Graffiti is a modern art form, but it may not be something you want decorating your building. Should you find your property or business targeted by graffiti artists, there are ways you can remove it or have it removed to salvage the facade of your building. How you approach cleaning off graffiti will depend on the paint used and the surface that has been painted.
Start With Soap And Water
Soap and water might seem like it won’t make any graffiti budge, but it might. If you don’t have a large piece of graffiti to remove, it’s worth trying some soap and water with a bristle brush. If you can avoid having to use chemicals or heavy-duty products, it’s worth a shot.
Just be sure that, regardless of what you use, you have some gloves and goggles for protection. You’ll want to have some brushes, a squeegee, some sponges, and some towels to give you the best chance of removing graffiti this way.
Try A Graffiti Remover
Given the prevalence of graffiti, there are graffiti removal products on the market that are able to remove some of the most common types of paint used. Graffiti remover can be found in various forms, so you can choose what’s easiest for you to handle.
These products also work on most surfaces and materials, though it’s always important to double check before potentially damaging your building.
Use Paint Stripper
Paint strippers can also be effective at removing stubborn graffiti off of a variety of surfaces. It is able to pull dry paint off of surfaces, making it easy to watch away once the paint stripper has worked its magic. Paint stripper typically comes in gel form, which makes it very easy to use regardless of skill level.
Use Heavy Duty Stripper For Brick
Brick can be a really tough surface to clean, especially when you’re trying to remove graffiti paint from it. A heavy duty stripper will have to be used to get graffiti removed, as your standard graffiti remover isn’t going to cut it.
A heavy duty stripper is easy to apply and is able to melt away stubborn graffiti, even if it’s been on the brick for years. You’ll just have to be sure you rinse it off and use a neutralizer afterwards.
Use A Power Washer For Concrete
Concrete and stone are two very strong surfaces, so a power washer or pressure washer can be suitable for removing graffiti without damaging the integrity of the building. You’ll just want to make sure you’re standing a few feet away and wearing protective equipment to avoid getting hurt using one of these powerful tools.
You’ll also want to make sure you cover up anything in the vicinity that you don’t want to pressure wash. If possible, it’s worth trying to borrow or rent one of these machines if you don’t already have one as they can be very expensive.
Hire Professionals
If you don’t have the time or patience to remove graffiti on your own, there are professionals you can hire to take care of the graffiti for you. A professional service will know exactly which products are suitable to remove graffiti off of your building, and will be able to ensure that the outside of your building looks nice once the job is done.
Final Thoughts
You can appreciate graffiti without having it all over your building. Depending on your particular building, you may be able to get graffiti off with relative ease and a little bit of elbow grease. Otherwise, it’s best to have a professional remove graffiti so your building looks fresh and new once the paint is gone.