Have you ever walked down a street and been amazed by the beauty of a painting, only to be annoyed by the tags and scribbles on the buildings around it?
Graffiti can be a controversial topic because some people see it as a form of art and others see it as mischief. No matter where you stand, one thing is for sure: getting rid of graffiti can take a long time and cost a lot of money. This is where coatings that stop writing come in. These clever goods not only make it easier to clean outdoor surfaces, but they also discourage people who might try to damage them. In this article, I’ll talk about anti-graffiti coatings and why they’re a big deal for anyone who wants to keep their property looking good.
Anti-Graffiti Coatings
Types of Anti-Graffiti Coatings
Graffiti coats come in three main types: sacrificial, semi-permanent, and permanent.
Each type has its own perks and special qualities.
- Sacrificial coatings: These are clear coatings that are applied after painting a building. They protect the paint from graffiti attacks and can be removed with a power washer or by hand washing. However, the sacrificial coating also comes off along with the graffiti, and a new coating must be applied to the surface.
- Semi-permanent coatings: These are high-build, acrylic coatings that can shed layers of itself upon each cleaning. They must be removed, but this happens over a longer period of time, and the coating can be reapplied once it has been completely worn away.
- Permanent coatings: These work well on most surfaces and can be cleaned off with a power washer or by hand washing. They are made of silicon and create a weather-resistant, non-stick surface that allows graffiti to be power-washed off or wiped off without removing the coating from the paint.
Application Methods
Graffiti-resistant coatings are easy to use and can be put on by rolling, brushing, or spraying, based on the product line.
They are either single pack paints or fluoropolymers and polyurethanes that come in two parts.
Two-pack fluoropolymers and polyurethanes, which are very resistant to chemicals and paint removers, are the best paints to stop graffiti.
Sherwin-Williams Anti-Graffiti Coating
Sherwin-Williams The Anti-Graffiti Coating is a one-of-a-kind siloxane product that makes a surface that doesn’t stick to paint, spray paint, or permanent markers.
This single-component semi-gloss coating makes it easy to remove graffiti without using solvents or abrasives.
Graffiti can be removed over and over again without having to reapply the coating.
It only takes one coat to put on and dries quickly.
It sticks well and is resistant to chalking, fading, and peeling.
Application of Anti-Graffiti Coatings
Types of Surfaces
Graffiti-resistant coats can be put on metal, concrete, stone, brick, painted wood, and painted surfaces.
Most surfaces that haven’t been painted, like concrete, stone, brick, or wood, are very porous.
This makes it easy for graffiti to get into the holes and hard to remove.
Graffiti can’t get on painted surfaces because the paint seals the surface of the base.
However, this may make it harder to remove graffiti.
Surface treatments get into the pores of the surface and are mostly transparent and vapor-permeable.
This makes it much less likely that the surface will absorb colors.
Types of Anti-Graffiti Coatings
writing protection comes in two main types: coatings that remove the writing and coatings that don’t.
Graffiti coatings are put on and then taken off after each act of mischief.
This means that they have to be reapplied.
Graffiti doesn’t hurt non-sacrificial coats, so they don’t need to be reapplied after graffiti is removed.
Rainguard VandlGuardOne and Sherwin-Williams Anti-Graffiti Coating are both non-sacrificial coverings that can be used on different surfaces.
Benefits of Non-Sacrificial Coatings
Graffiti cleaning costs less when non-sacrificial coatings are used because they don’t have to be reapplied.
They are also more environmentally friendly because you only have to use them once to protect yourself for a long time.
When a surface has been damaged, a simple solvent is often used to clean it.
This removes the graffiti paint and leaves the area underneath clean and safe.
Graffiti paints that are permanent work well on most surfaces and can either form a film or not.
Durability of Anti-Graffiti Coatings
A study on how long anti-graffiti coatings on stone last found that both treatments lost their effectiveness under both manufactured and natural weathering.
But the study didn’t say if the coatings were put on walls that already had writing on them.
Another study looked at how well mechanical, chemical, and laser methods of removing graffiti from marble worked and how dangerous they were.
The study didn’t say if anti-graffiti treatments were put on the surfaces before or after they were cleaned.
Get Rid of Graffiti for Good: The Power of Abrasive Blasting
If you’re tired of seeing unsightly graffiti on your outdoor surfaces, you’re not alone.
Graffiti can be a major eyesore and can even decrease property values.
But fear not, there’s a solution: anti-graffiti coatings.
And when it comes to removing graffiti, abrasive blasting is a powerful tool.
Abrasive blasting involves using high-pressure air or water to blast abrasive materials onto a surface, effectively removing any unwanted paint or markings.
This method is particularly effective for removing graffiti from concrete, brick, and other porous surfaces.
But be warned, abrasive blasting can be a bit perplexing if you’re not familiar with the process.
It’s important to hire a professional who knows how to use the equipment properly to avoid damaging your surfaces.
And while abrasive blasting can be bursty, meaning it can remove graffiti quickly, it’s important to note that it’s not always the best option for delicate surfaces.
Overall, if you’re looking for a reliable way to remove graffiti from your outdoor surfaces, consider anti-graffiti coatings and the power of abrasive blasting.
For more information:
Intro to Abrasive Blasting for Outdoor Cleaning
Effectiveness of Anti-Graffiti Coatings
Types of Anti-Graffiti Coatings
Graffiti-proof coats can be either temporary, semi-permanent, or permanent. The pros and cons of each type are different.
- Sacrificial Coatings: This is the most common type of anti-graffiti coating. It is designed to be easily removed along with the graffiti, leaving the underlying surface unharmed. Sacrificial coatings are less expensive but require more frequent reapplication.
- Semi-Permanent Coatings: These coatings are more durable than sacrificial coatings and can withstand multiple graffiti removals. They are more expensive but can last for several years.
- Permanent Coatings: These coatings are the most durable and long-lasting, but they are also the most expensive. They can last for up to ten years with repeated graffiti removals.
Factors Affecting the Effectiveness of Anti-Graffiti Coatings
Graffiti-resistant coatings work well depending on a number of things, such as the type of coating, the surface it is put on, and how often it is cleaned.
Some areas may need a certain type of coating to work as well as possible.
Also, the coating needs to be cleaned often to keep working well and discourage graffiti artists from focusing on that area.
Substrate Profile
The shape of the surface can also affect how long anti-graffiti coatings last.
Graffiti is much harder to get on smooth surfaces because they don’t soak up as much color.
Two-pack fluoropolymers and polyurethanes, which are very resistant to chemicals and paint removers, are the best paints to stop graffiti.
Outdoor Exposure
A study found that aging something in a lab caused more damage than a year of being outside in the south.
Graffiti-resistant coats can last for a long time, but how long they last depends on the product and how it is applied.
To get the best results, it’s important to follow the suggestions and instructions for use from the manufacturer.
Maintenance of Anti-Graffiti Coatings
Cleaning Methods
Graffiti-resistant surfaces are easiest to clean with water and a scrub brush or a low-pressure water wash (less than 1,500 psi at the top).
The anti-graffiti layer will get damaged if you use too much force or a hard brush.
To keep the finish in good shape, it is very important to clean it the right way.
Cleaning Products
Graffiti-removal paints are made by different companies and come in a variety of brands.
When cleaning a surface that has already been coated, it is important to choose a graffiti remover that won’t hurt the covering.
Here are some things you can use to get rid of graffiti on surfaces that have already been coated to prevent it:
- Mathys Pegagraff-Hydro Cleaner: This gel can be used to clean graffiti from surfaces that have already been treated with a Mathys anti-graffiti coating.
- Rust-Oleum: This brand offers its own products for both anti-graffiti paint and the corresponding remover.
- Sherwin-Williams Anti-Graffiti Coating: This unique siloxane product creates a non-stick surface that repels graffiti from paint, paint spray cans, and permanent markers. Unlike other products, this single-component semi-gloss coating doesn’t require solvent cleaning or abrasives to remove graffiti. Simple pressure washing or hand-wiping with water does the job easily and economically. It applies in one coat and dries quickly, with excellent adhesion properties and high resistance to chalking, fading, and peeling.
Avoid Destructive Cleaning Methods
Repeated cleaning with ultra-high-pressure water wash, abrasive blast, wire brush, and other mechanical methods is damaging.
These ways will speed up the coating’s breakdown, make it less shiny, and make the surface less smooth, making it harder for the coating to stick to.
So, if you want the anti-graffiti coating to keep working, you must avoid these ways of cleaning.
Use Surface-Active Agents
Graffiti can be removed from a surface by using surface-active products that dissolve and/or emulsify the graffiti.
These agents are good at getting rid of graffiti without hurting the layer that protects against it.
To keep the coating in good shape, it is important to choose the right cleaning tool.
Environmental Concerns and Cost
Graffiti-preventing coats can be permanent, semi-permanent, or temporary.
Permanent coats are made to last through many cleanings with solvent, and spray paint and ink can’t get through the surface.
You can clean semi-permanent coatings more than once with a solvent, but each cleaning takes away the barrier, so you have to reapply the coating after a few cleanings.
Water-based sacrificial coatings form a layer that can be easily washed off with a pressure washer, taking the graffiti with it.
The least expensive choice is to use a sacrificial coating, but it needs to be reapplied more often than permanent or semipermanent coatings.
Durability and Environmental Concerns
In a study that was released in PLOS ONE, it was found that both anti-graffiti treatments broke down when exposed to both natural and artificial weathering.
The study suggested that both natural and manufactured weathering tests be done at the same time to find out how long anti-graffiti coatings will last in real life.
Another worry is how different removers work on solid coatings that stop graffiti.
Vitreous enamels don’t react chemically with the organic solvents in the removal, but they do have some serious problems, such as being brittle and hard to match.
Graffiti Melt is a “sacrificial” coating made by Genesis Coatings.
It is made of water and food-grade materials and makes a tough shield without changing the look or feel of the surface it is on.
Graffiti Melt is a zero VOC, non-toxic, biodegradable, low-odor, paraffin-based emulsion that can be erased with a hot water pressure washer or one of their non-toxic, biodegradable removers.
But some paints, inks, and cleaning products have strong solvents and other chemicals that can change the way Graffiti Melt works by changing the way it is made.
Cost of Applying Anti-Graffiti Coatings
Experts say that an anti-graffiti covering is the most cost-effective way to protect the outside and inside of a building from being defaced.
Graffiti costs building owners millions of dollars every year, and putting up patches to cover it up is not the best way to solve the problem.
Graffiti can be a big job to clean up, but anti-graffiti treatments can make it a small one.
The cost of applying anti-graffiti coatings can vary based on the type of coating, the size of the surface to be coated, and the location of the building.
It is best to get a quote from a professional cleaning business.
Alternatives to Anti-Graffiti Coatings
You can also use light cleaning detergent and cold water to get rid of graffiti instead of coatings that prevent it.
This method is cheap and can be used on a lot of different surfaces.
But it might not work on all kinds of graffiti and might need to be cleaned more than once.
When you use this method, you should make sure to use a mild soap that won’t hurt the surface you’re cleaning.
Protective Films or Sacrificial Coatings
Anti-graffiti coatings can also be replaced with protective films and coatings that are meant to be damaged.
Protective films are clear and made to be used only once to keep writing off of glass and plexiglass.
On clean surfaces, sacrificial coatings are put on to make it easier to remove graffiti in the future.
Barrier coatings and sacrificial coatings are the two types of these coatings.
Barrier coatings are long-lasting coatings that make it easier to remove writing in the future.
Sacrificial coatings are temporary coatings that melt away when high-powered sprays or hot water are used.
When they melt away, they take the offensive writing with them.
Graffiti doesn’t have to be removed with harsh chemicals like some other “sacrificial” coverings do.
Anti-Graffiti Sealers
Use sealers that stop writing is a third option.
These sealers are put on the work to protect it from spray paint and the chemicals that take it off.
Graffiti-preventing coatings are split into two types: permanent or “nonsacrificial” coatings and “sacrificial” coatings, which are only there for a short time.
Permanent coats are usually made of epoxies, polyurethanes, or urethanes, and they can stand up to cleaning solvents.
On clean surfaces, sacrificial coatings are put on to make it easier to remove graffiti in the future.
Choosing the Right Method
Each option has pros and cons, and which one you choose relies on the surface you want to protect and the type of graffiti you want to get rid of.
When picking a method, it’s important to think about things like cost, effectiveness, how easy it is to use, and how it will affect the world.
Final reflections and implications
In conclusion, anti-graffiti coatings are a great way to keep outdoor surfaces clean and free of crime. But it’s important to keep the bigger picture in mind. Graffiti is often a way for people who feel left out or unheard to say what they want to say. By just painting over it, we might be ignoring the problems that caused it in the first place.
We could invest in community programs and resources that give young people a say and a sense of belonging instead of just removing graffiti. By getting to the bottom of why people do graffiti, we might be able to stop it from happening.
So, the next time you see graffiti on your outdoor walls, you should not only think about how to get rid of it, but also how to deal with what caused it. Let’s all work together to make the world a place where everyone feels heard and important.
Looking for a new Pressure washer?
Choosing a gadget can be very difficult if you know nothing about the technology.
Some will pay for features they do not need while others may not consider what they really want.
So I created this quick, newbie guide to help you focus on what is really important to you:
The Best Pressure Washer (For You!)
What are some ways you can keep the outside of a house clean?
Tip: Turn on the caption button if you need it.
Choose ‘automatic translation’ in the settings button, if you are not familiar with the English language.
You may need to click on the language of the video first before your favorite language becomes available for translation.
Links and references
- “Suitability and Sustainability of Anti-Graffiti Treatments on Natural Stone Materials”
- SEI Chemical’s product page for GPA-200 Graffiti Proofer® Anti-Stick
- “Assessment of Graffiti Removal Practices and Initial Development of Best Practices” by the California Department of Transportation
- “Safer Alternative Graffiti Management Methods for California” by the Environmental Protection Agency
- researchgate.net
- gbdmagazine.com
- txdot.gov
- plos.org
- pps.org
My article on the topic:
Graffiti Removal 101: Tips, Costs & Legalities
Written note to self: (Article status: delineation)
