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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.
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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.
Suggestions for Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry
Graffiti Media
Removal Method
Health & Safety
Warnings
Ballpoint Pen
1. Erase with non-abrasive pencil eraser.
2. Poultice with organic solvent or petroleum-based compound**.
3. Wash with water and non-ionic detergent.
4. Rinse with water.
+ See cautions below for NMP, solvents and petroleum-based compounds.
Wear proper respirator, gloves and eye protection.
Chalk/ Pastel
(Not wax or oil based)
1. Brush off with bristle brush.
2. Wash with water and non-ionic detergent.
3. Rinse with water.
None.
Crayon
Lipstick
Shoe Polish
1. Poultice with denatured alcohol,
paint remover* or organic solvent**.
2. Wash with water and non-ionic detergent.
3. Rinse with water .
+ See cautions below for NMP, solvents and petroleum-based compounds.
Wear proper respirator, gloves and eye protection.
Paint
Spray (aerosol)
Non-spray paint
1. Poultice with paint remover*, organic solvent, or petroleum-based compound**.
2. Rinse with water, denatured alcohol or
mineral spirits.
3. Wash with water and non-ionic detergent.
4. Rinse with water.
+ See cautions below for NMP, solvents and petroleum-based compounds.
Wear proper respirator, gloves and eye protection.
Pencil
1. Erase with non-abrasive pencil eraser.
2. Wash with water and non-ionic detergent.
3. Rinse with water.
None.
Permanent (felt-tip) Marker
1. Wash with water and non-ionic detergent, if necessary.
2. Poultice with bleach***, paint remover*, organic solvent or petroleum-based compound**.
3. Wash with water and non-ionic detergent
4. Rinse with water.
+ See cautions below for NMP, solvents and petroleum-based compounds.
Bleach is corrosive, causes chemical burns and forms toxic gases (chlorine)
Wear proper respirator, gloves and eye protection.
Water soluble (felt tip) Marker
1. Wash with water and non-ionic detergent.
2. Poultice with bleach***.
3. Wash with water and non-ionic detergent.
4. Rinse with water.
Bleach is corrosive, causes chemical burns and forms toxic gases (chlorine)
Wear proper respirator, gloves and eye protection.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.
Grimm, Clayford T. "Don’t sandblast brick." The Magazine of Masonry Construction (1990): 115-116.
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.
Preston, John. "The surface restoration of buildings–An investment in the present as well as in the future." Structural Survey 7, no. 4 (1989): 450-460.
In addition to citations & references found in this article, see the research citations given at the end of the related articles found at our suggested
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