Removing graffiti: this is how you go about it.

What exactly is graffiti?

Graffiti is often very colourful drawings or text expressions on walls, facades or objects. Graffiti is applied in different ways, but usually with spray cans. Often applied anonymously and unsolicited to make a statement. Unfortunately, this type of graffiti can cause permanent damage to the surface. But there is also graffiti that is very desirable. Think of street advertising and street art. Graffiti is therefore more than a few tags or illegal graffiti on trains, public buildings, and traffic signs. Some graffiti painters, commissioned, have given the image of graffiti a huge push.

Remove graffiti.

Some people classify graffiti as art, while for others the unwanted 'masterpieces' are unwanted and expressions that you want to get rid of as quickly as possible. A big challenge if you belong to the latter group, because removing graffiti is not an easy task. The level of difficulty depends on the surface on which the graffiti is applied. Bricks, natural stone, concrete, wood, glass or plastic, every surface requires a different approach. It also determines which paint was used and when the graffiti was applied. It is best to remove graffiti as quickly as possible. Removal takes time and once the graffiti has been removed, an ugly shadow sometimes remains. Is there also good news? Yes, there is.

Methods to remove graffiti.

There are various options for removing graffiti. The best method also depends on the dimensions of the graffiti and the location (height) where it is applied.

• Steam cleaning

A safe and environmentally friendly method is cleaning using steam. It is the cheapest way to clean graffiti. The boiling water is sprayed onto the facade. The high temperature of the steam softens the paint and loosens it from the surface. Suitable for surfaces of brick, concrete, metal, natural stone, and plaster. However, this method is not always sufficient for stubborn paint and old graffiti.

• Chemical cleaning

Most graffiti can be easily removed with chemical solvents. These are usually applied with a brush or nebulizer and then rinsed off with water. Aggressive solvents can seriously damage the surface and pose a danger to the processor. It is recommended to use biodegradable cleaning solutions. Preferably without hazard symbols. The fewer hazard symbols, the smaller the impact on people and the environment.

• Shine

A powerful method to remove old and new layers of paint is blasting. A process that is used for very stubborn graffiti.

Blasting is an operation in which grit or sand is blown against the surface using compressed air to remove the paint. Caution is extremely important here, because there is a risk of damage to the surface.
Blasting also releases dust particles that are very harmful to health when inhaled. Natural sand, which was widely used for this purpose until recently, contains quartz dust. When this enters the lungs, it can cause silicosis. Silicosis is a serious occupational disease of the lungs. The sand or grit used must therefore meet special requirements. There are rotating brushes on the market that can remove dirt and coatings without the disadvantages mentioned.

Prevention

The most suitable cleaning method depends on the type of surface. The degree of absorption of the paint into the material is also decisive. The more porous, the more difficult to remove. Absorption of graffiti can be prevented with an anti-graffiti coating. This is a special coating that ensures that the graffiti does not adhere properly and is therefore easy to remove. A kind of coating/impregnation. The graffiti and the coating can be removed using high pressure with warm water. Semi-permanent and permanent coatings are available. With a semi-permanent coating, the graffiti and the coating are removed during cleaning. With permanent coatings, only the graffiti is removed during cleaning and the coating remains intact. These coatings are available for surfaces such as metal or stone.

Products to remove graffiti.

Graffiti is often cleaned with unsafe, environmentally harmful solvents. For example, with flammable volatile liquids such as turpentine and acetone. With all the consequences for the subsurface, our soil and our surface water where it ultimately ends up, not to mention the person who works with it. Fortunately, there is a battery of ecological graffiti removers. Pay close attention to the danger signs. With graffiti removers without hazard symbols on the use label, you can be sure that the intrinsic dangers are minimal.

Safely remove graffiti.

Based on our intrinsic value, we always look for innovative solutions that go beyond good intentions, without scheming, without window dressing. Our pleasure is developing beautiful, safe products locally that do not require hazard symbols. So no flame marks or dead trees and fish on the packaging. Without making concessions to the dissolving power of our products.

Ecological graffiti removers are EP Proplex and Remopaint NF. Safe products for the people who work with them, but also for buildings and vehicles. Completely hazard symbol-free.