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Many graffiti removal and restoration efforts can leave surfaces looking as bad, or worse, than before the work began. To ensure successful removal and protect surfaces from further graffiti:

Identify the surface type and substance to be removed.

Select the appropriate removal method.

Apply a protective coating.

Some cities have establish removal and restoration guidelines to maintain the structural integrity of the city's architecture, especially for buildings or other structures that are old or made of material that requires special care. Be familiar with any local guidelines.

1. Identify the surface type and substance to be removed.

Brick, stone, concrete, aluminum siding, utility boxes and poles, street signs, bus shelters, pavement, wood, and glass are just some of the materials that can be defaced with graffiti. These surfaces can be smooth or textured. Some are painted while others are unprotected.

While most graffiti is applied with spray paint, graffiti vandals also use markers, adhesives (stickers), shoe polish, lip stick, stencils, and etching products. The length of time graffiti has been on a surface usually impacts how easily it can be removed--the longer, the more difficult.

Depending on the substance to be removed, each surface requires or responds better to a particular method. Use a simple graffiti removal chart for ideas about where to start.

2. Select a removal method

Except for paint, most anti-graffiti removers are not available at local home improvement, hardware, or paint stores. They are specialty industrial products and are often sold in bulk to cities, counties, or professional graffiti removal companies. Graffiti removers that may be sold in retail outlets are likely to be for small clean up tasks.

Get a list of graffiti removal product suppliers.

Following are the three most common removal methods:

Paint-out

Paint is used to cover over graffiti on smooth, painted surfaces. It is fairly low cost (ranging from donated paint to 6 cents per square foot), and paint is a relatively safe product compared to removing graffiti with some chemical solvents.

Chemical Removers

Chemical removers vary, but typically the stronger the solvent, the faster it will dissolve or remove paint. In some cases, stronger solvents may require more safety consideration or personal protection. A solvent or cleaner that is poorly matched to a particular construction material, however, may create aesthetically unappealing results. Successful product selection is critical.

For small jobs, such as removing spray paint and markers from light poles and utility boxes, use a chemical removal product with a cloth and/or scrubber. Easy and safe one-time use products, similar to a "handi-wipe," are also available. Larger jobs will require an industrial product and may require professional application.

Chemical removers have the potential to be harmful to workers and to the environment. For information on the environmental impacts of 35 graffiti removal products, get a report that lists ingredients, and field tests and rates a dozen of them for performance on various surfaces. Costs are also considered.

Pressure Washing

Pressure washing equipment uses water or water in combination with a solvent to remove graffiti from a surface. A solvent may first be applied and then the surface is washed with pressurized water. Sometimes a blasting media, such as baking soda, is used to remove graffiti. While pressure washing is effective, it can wear down the surface being treated.

Get a list of blast (power wash, etc.) cleaning equipment suppliers, including pressure washers.

3. Apply a protective coating

There are two types of protective coatings, sacrificial and non-sacrificial or permanent. Sacrificial coatings are protective, but come off when graffiti is removed and must be reapplied. Non-sacrificial or permanent anti-graffiti coatings are unaffected by the graffiti removal process and remain on the surface.

Most anti-graffiti coatings are not available at local home improvement, hardware, or paint stores. They are specialty industrial products and are often sold in bulk to cities, counties, or professional graffiti removal companies. While some paint products have similar properties to anti-graffiti coatings, that is not their intended purpose and they are not likely to be marketed for that use.