How to Remove Graffiti

Graffiti removal: advice & procedures from experts.

This article series describes the causes & cures for various types of stains found on concrete, stone & masonry surfaces both outdoors and indoors.

The article series also distinguishes among common brick stain sources such as algae, bacteria, lichens, moss, soot, sulphur, fungal growth, and other causes of markings on brick.

Graffiti Removal Procedures

The table below is adapted from an older US NPS document, providing a detailed list of graffiti removal suggestions not present in some later documents.

Notes to the table above

• Watch out: These are suggestions to assist in graffiti removal.
  
  Graffiti removal methods should always be tested first under the supervision and guidance of an architectural conservator
• Notes keyed to the table above:
  
  * Paint Remover based on N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP).
  
  ** Organic Solvent such as acetone, lacquer-thinner, or petroleum-based compound such as dimethyl adipate.
  
  *** Bleach such as calcium hypochlorite.
  
  + N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) is mildly toxic and may have adverse reproductive effects.
  
  Solvents and petroleum-based compounds have toxic vapors, are flammable, and require well-ventilated conditions.

...

Graffiti photos above are excerpted from Weaver (1995) cited in detail below and illustrate using a poultice as part of a graffiti removal procedure and inappropriate sand-blasting efforts to remove graffiti - a procedure against which readers are warned in this article series.

[Click to enlarge any image]

• Source: Weaver, Martin E., REMOVING GRAFFITI from HISTORIC MASONRY [PDF] (1995) Preservation Brief No. 38, US NPS (cited in detail below)
  
  Excerpt:
  
  Summary
  
  Although rapid graffiti removal is the most effective weapon in eliminating graffiti and preventing its recurrence in the same location, hasty, untested removal attempts can disfigure and cause harm to historic masonry.
  
  Thus, it is important that the owner or manager of a historic masonry building or structure be prepared with a plan to ensure the prompt removal of graffiti when it occurs.
  
  Regularly scheduled maintenance and cleaning programs to eliminate graffiti from historic masonry properties may be assisted by the installation of physical barriers, security systems and  lighting, as well as increased community involvement.
  
  Successful graffiti removal from historic masonry requires knowledge of a variety of cleaning methods and materials, and an awareness that what works to remove graffiti from one kind of masonry surface may not remove it from another.
  
  By testing different cleaning methods in advance, treatment plans will be available, when needed, to provide guidance for safe and sensitive graffiti removal from historic masonry.

Graffiti Removal Guides

Graffiti photo from Weaver (1995) cited in detail, below.

• Ashurst, Nicola. Cleaning Historic Buildings. Vol. I: Substrates, Soiling and Investigations; Vol. II: Cleaning Materials and Processes. London: Donhead Publishing Ltd., 1994.
• Brick Industry Association (BIA), CLEANING BRICKWORK [PDF] in Technical Notes on Brick Construction, August 2018, BIA 12007 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 430, Reston, Virginia 20191 USA retrieved 2019/08/16, original source: http://www.gobrick.com/docs/default-source/read-research-documents/technicalnotes/20-cleaning-brickwork.pdf www.gobrick.com | 703-620-0010
• Ehrenkrantz & Eckstut Architects, P.C Technical Tips: Removing Graffiti. New York: New York Landmarks Conservancy, n.d. (1994).
  
• Grimmer, Anne E. DANGERS OF ABRASIVE CLEANING TO HISTORIC BUILDINGS [PDF] (1979) [Department of the Interior], Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service [Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation], Technical Preservation Services Division, 1979.
• Grimmer, Anne E. KEEPING IT CLEAN: REMOVING EXTERIOR DIRT, PAINT, STAINS AND GRAFFITI FROM HISTORIC MASONRY BUILDINGS [PDF] Washington, D.C.: Preservation Assistance Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1988. - retrieved 2022/10/08, original source: https://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/preservedocs/Keeping-It-Clean.pdf
  
  Excerpt:
  The purpose of this technical report is to provide information on removing dirt, stains, paint and related coatings, graffiti, and other disfiguring or potentially harmful substances from exterior masonry.
• Heidelmann, Hendrik. "Voruntersuchungen zum Zustand der Architekturteile und des plastischen Zierats des Sandsteinbaus der Kunstakademie Dresden." Arbeitsblätter für Restauratoren. Gruppe 6. Stein 27, no. 2, Gruppe 6 (1994): 313-318.
• Hocken, Jörg, and Bernd Proft. "Clean surfaces by utilization of the photocatalytic effect." (2003).
• Liu, Katherine, and Elsa Garmire. "Paint removal using lasers." Applied optics 34, no. 21 (1995): 4409-4415.
• Mack, Robert C., FAIA & Anne E. Grimmer, ASSESSING CLEANING AND WATER-REPELLENT TREATMENTS FOR HISTORIC MASONRY BUILDINGS [PDF] (2000) U.S. National Park Service, Technical Preservation Services, retrieved 2022/10/02 original source: https://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs/1-cleaning-water-repellent.htm
• Reisner, Robert. Graffiti: Two Thousand Years of Wall Writing. Chicago: Cowles Book Company, 1971.
• RI, Graffiti Removal Manual. Providence, RI: Keep Providence Beautiful, September 1986.
• Rozniakowski, Kazimierz, Piotr Klemm, and Agnieszka J. Klemm. "Some experimental results of laser beam interaction with surface layer of brick." Building and Environment 36, no. 4 (2001): 485-491.
• US GSA REMOVING DIRT from BRICK MASONRY [PDF] U.S. General Services Administration, retrieved 2020/12/14
• US GSA CHEMICALLY REMOVING PAINT FROM and REPAINTING BRICK MASONRY [PDF] U.S. General Services Administration, retrieved 2020/12/14
  Excerpt:
  
  This procedure includes guidance on chemically removing paint from and repainting brick masonry.
  
  NOTE: Sandblasting is not recommended by the secretary of the interior's standards for rehabilitation and shall not be used. High-pressure water blasting is also not recommended without adequate testing or experience as it may erode soft brick and drive moisture into the wall.
• US GSA GENERAL CLEANING of EXTERIOR BRICK MASONRY [PDF] U.S. General Services Administration, retrieved 2020/12/14
  

• U.S. GSA REMOVING PAINTED GRAFFITI FROM MASONRY [PDF] (2018) U.S. General Services Administration, retrieved 2020/12/14
  Excerpt:
  
  This procedure includes guidance on removing painted graffiti from historic masonry (this includes spray paint and paint-based felt-tipped markers).
  
  Successful removal of graffiti from masonry is dependent upon the type and surface texture of the masonry as well as the particular substance applied.
• VanGo, from ATCO International, 1401 Barclay Circle, SE Marietta, Georgia 30060-2925 produces a series of cleaners and paint and graffiti removers. 1-800-723-2826 Website: https://www.atcointernational.com/prod-22-1-663-24/vango-ii.htm
• Weaver, Martin E., REMOVING GRAFFITI FROM HISTORIC MASONRY [PDF] (1995) Preservation Brief 38, US National Park Service, retrieved 2022/06/30 original source: https://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs/38-remove-graffiti.htm saved as updated PDF in latest, color version by InspectApedia
• Weaver, Martin E., REMOVING GRAFFITI from HISTORIC MASONRY - COMPLETE [PDF] (1995) Preservation Brief No. 38, US NPS, retrieved 2022/10/09, original source: https://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/preservedocs/preservation-briefs/38Preserve-Brief-Graffiti.pdf
  
  Excerpts:
  Removing graffiti as soon as it appears is the key to its elimination-and recurrence.
  
  Thus, the intent of this Preservation Brief is to help owners and managers of historic masonry structures find the best way to remove exterior, surface-applied graffiti* quickly, effectively, and safely.
  
  The Brief will discuss the variety of materials used to apply graffiti, and offer guidance on how to remove graffiti from all types of historic masonry without harming either the surface or the substrate.
  
  Suggestions will also be given regarding the use of physical barriers to protect masonry surfaces from graffiti, and the application of barrier coatings to facilitate graffiti removal.
  
  Building managers and owners of historic properties will be advised on the importance of being prepared for rapid graffiti removal by testing different cleaning techniques in advance in order to select the most appropriate and sensitive cleaning technique. Health and safety and environmental concerns are addressed, as well as regulatory matters.
  
  Removing graffiti without causing damage to historic masonry is a job for trained maintenance crews, and in some cases, professional conservators, and generally should not be attempted by untrained workers, property owners or building managers.
  
  Although the focus of this Preservation Brief is on historic masonry, the same guidance may be applied equally to removing graffiti from non-historic masonry.
  
  Anne E. Grimmer, Senior Architectural Historian, Technical Preservation Services, Preservation Assistance Division, National Park Service, coordinated the development of this Preservation Brief and served as Technical Editor.
• Whitford, Maurice J. Getting Rid of Graffiti: A practical guide to graffiti removal and anti-graffiti protection. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, Inc., 1992.
  

...

Continue reading at BRICK SURFACE PAINT REMOVAL, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• EFFLORESCENCE SALTS & WHITE DEPOSITS
• GRAFFITI REMOVAL FROM BRICK CONCRETE STONE SURFACES
• MASONRY CLEANERS
• STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING EXTERIORS - home
• STAINS on BRICK SURFACES
• STAINS on CONCRETE
• STAINS on INDOOR SURFACES, PHOTO GUIDE
• STAINS on SANDSTONE, DIAGNOSE & CURE
• STAINS on STONE, STUCCO DIAGNOSE & CURE
• STONE, STUCCO & BRICK CLEANING METHODS
• STONE SURFACE CLEANING & ORGANIC GROWTH PREVENTION (Algae, Fungus, Lichens, Moss) from Stone, Brick, or Concrete Surface

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