The point and purpose of graffiti is an issue which splits opinions. Even for people who enjoy graffiti, some will be in bad taste or not to their personal preference. Therefore, knowing how to remove graffiti is valuable, but it is often more challenging than you think.
Whether you are responsible for tackling the graffiti yourself or need to call in graffiti removal experts, Right Wash is here to help.
For some people, graffiti is a massive problem, regardless of its content or style. No matter how great some art looks, graffiti is a crime, and a punishable act if vandals are apprehended.
If graffiti is offensive, about a sensitive matter or just out of place, the sooner you act as a graffiti remover to restore the building's appearance, the better. If you're a business, you might lose potential customers because vandals defaced your property, creating a bad impression.
In some cases, such as graffiti by a known artist, this artwork can add value to a home. More likely, though, graffiti lowers property value. There is also the “broken windows” theory, where graffiti and vandalism “encourages” other acts in the local area. This outcome ensures not only homeowners are driven to remove spray paint quickly, but businesses, bodies, and any property owner also has the incentive to remove graffiti quickly.
If you are committed to removing graffiti from your premises, the following substances, cleaning products and methods are worth considering:
If you are looking to remove spray paint yourself, these substances will help you.
However, there are many reasons why you don’t want to remove spray paints personally, including:
As a graffiti remover, you need many products like refuse bags, a garden hose, paint scrapers, safety equipment like dust masks and safety glasses, cloths, solvents, a wire brush and paints. This can increase the cost of getting rid of graffiti yourself, removing a benefit of the DIY approach, making a hire solution more efficient.
Calling on an expert is often easier, and Right Wash delivers a range of services.
While chemical products are highly effective at removing paint, many people are unwilling to use this solution. Environmental concerns lead many people to avoid these products, and even if chemicals don’t harm the wall, the run-off might negatively impact the soil or wildlife.
A common chemical used for removing paint is methylene chloride. This is a common ingredient in “graffiti removal” cleaning products and is a highly influential component in removing paint and graffiti. However, this substance weakens plastics, which means if you have pipes and guttering, they could be weakened by graffiti removal products.
An environmentally friendly way to remove graffiti from modern and robust concrete buildings involves a pressure washer at high temperatures.
For effective graffiti removal, a pressure of 3,000 psi (pounds per square inch) at a heat of 190 degrees with a five gpm flow is recommended, although each situation is unique. If a colder water temperature is required, it is best to extend the washing time.
Right Wash recommends pressure washers capable of delivering at least 1,000 psi of pressure when removing graffiti from a wall.
While power washing is a great way to tackle graffiti, it isn’t suitable for all surfaces. With brick, avoid using high-pressure jets; opt for a washer with a psi of 800 or less. A professional will advise on the best graffiti removal solution if there are concerns about brick withstanding a pressure wash.
Historic England has guidance for managing graffiti on historic and listed property. This information is helpful if you’re concerned about damaging a traditional structure with modern cleaning techniques.
However, skilled and experienced graffiti removal teams in your area will likely be familiar with the most appropriate cleaning techniques for old buildings.
Anecdotal evidence, particularly surrounding railway sites and tall properties, suggest making it hard to access an area is no barrier to would-be graffiti artists. In the summer of 2022, Network Rail admitted to spending £2m on graffiti remover work for train stations and property across the UK, cleaning exterior surfaces and removing spray paints from most surfaces.
As brick walls are porous surfaces, graffiti removers must be wary of soaking them, leading to dampness or mould in the building. The graffiti cleaning process is important, but you must care for your building at all times.
The same is valid for wood, with low-pressure washing recommended. As for metal and glass, it is best to allow a professional like Right Wash to review the property and determine the most suitable solution.
This is why the most effective way to prevent graffiti on walls and in your local environment is to implement anti-graffiti coatings on walls and surfaces as a form of prevention against future graffiti.
Common anti-graffiti coatings include:
Prevention is always the best cure, but in many cases, you don’t realise there is a graffiti problem to manage, until there is graffiti on your premises.
A quick coating minimises the chances of other graffiti or vandalism occurring, and Right Wash offers this service.
Graffiti removal is important, a task to carry out quickly and efficiently. If you are unsure of where to begin with removing spray paint or you want the job done right, effective graffiti removal services are essential, so hire an expert with the right equipment. Request graffiti removal from Right Wash and give yourself one less thing to worry about.
Yes we use a variety of washing systems because every surface type requires a different method not just for the cleaning but also to prevent damage.
The cost varies depending on location as you may pay a call out fee. However a rough guide would be £7-£16 per square metre.
Yes it will but you should be very careful with this method as many surfaces can be damaged using this high pressure method as it removes mortar and even damages textured brick. You can also cause damp problems if no cavity wall exists.
Different councils have different rules in place so it's hard to have a one fits all answer but in general the property owner be it a home or business owner is liable to pay. Councils usually cover public or council properties.
