BATTLING GRAFFITI
Offering graffiti cleanup and maintenance as a value-added service
By John J. Petroci III

Graffiti damage is a chronic problem that is escalating in many communities. Vandals are becoming more aggressive and bold when “tagging” and defacing property. Bridges and overpasses are common targets; however, the “rush” or adrenaline associated with these criminal acts is fueling the problem, especially within intercity neighborhoods and business districts. Both painted and porous unpainted substrates serve as “billboards” for vandals.

The problem plagues retailers, hospitals, hotels, facilities, recreation areas, highways, transportation systems, property management and even homeowners throughout the country. Particularly schools and universities, both public and private institutions, within both suburban and urban communities, are seeking environmentally safe solutions with superior performance and wear characteristics. No substrate is exempt from vandals, and property value diminishes rapidly if not controlled.

More and more companies and business owners are taking proactive approaches to this problem, fearing customer perception and lost revenue. The belief is, if Mrs. Jones feels uncomfortable pulling up to a store plagued by graffiti, she will immediately associate the unsightly and often offensive graffiti with a bad neighborhood and won’t stop or return.

And if communities don’t have a defined program or the monies allocated to combat graffiti, the burden for cleanup becomes the property owner’s responsibility. Many municipalities and cities have adopted a 24- to-48-hour policy requiring property owners to remove graffiti or be cited. Not removing graffiti diminishes property and real estate value. Furthermore, if “tagging” is quickly removed, vandals move to other areas because they know the target is policed and not worth the risk.

Combined, these factors create an opportunity for painting contractors to offer graffiti cleanup and maintenance as a value-added service to existing clients or as a way to target new business.

GETTING STARTED

Combating graffiti is more often an art than a science. Both store personnel and painting contractors are challenged daily to solve problems, and each problem comes with its own array of variables that factor into cleanup.

For example, vandals use an array of methods to deface property. Spray paints, the most commonly used method, have thousands of different colors and formulas. Typical water-based enamel is much easier to remove than an epoxy, urethane or automotive finish. Markers, ink and shoe polishes are more challenging than crayons.

Furthermore, cleaning road signs, roll-up security doors, transit vehicles, control boxes, desks, lockers, bathroom partitions, playground equipment, mailboxes and glass are often less challenging because their smooth or glossy surfaces are easier to clean than rough and porous surfaces.

WHAT TO USE

Graffiti removers or cleaners are usually the best option. (Painting over the graffiti makes the property look worse and invites vandals to strike again, while harsh chemicals and sandblasting can damage the substrate as well as create safety and health issues for the user.) New graffiti removers are formulated to effectively and easily remove existing graffiti from most porous surfaces without damaging the substrate or leaving scarring and “ghosting” behind, while being both safe for the applicator and friendly to the environment. This new technology salvages the substrate and avoids the traditional damages caused by harsh chemicals, scrapping, grinders and blasting techniques.

APPLYING CLEANERS

Before beginning, it’s important to “test patch” each type of surface or coating to be removed to determine compatibility, yield, proper thickness and dwell time needed. For any cleaner, refer to the material safety data sheet for important health and safety information before handling. Cleaners may be brushed, rolled and/or spray-applied.

Dwell times for a specific project will vary, depending on the substrate and type of graffiti to be removed. For example, a roll-up security door can often be cleaned in minutes by simply applying the remover, agitating the surface, and then wiping and rinsing clean. However, a porous surface such as brick and concrete would require a longer time to dwell or “soak in,” ranging from 15 to 60 minutes, and it may require a second application.

POWER WASHING

For best results, graffiti removal should be done with a power washer using the least amount of pressure needed especially on historic buildings and delicate substrates. A good remover will soften and emulsify the graffiti, enabling low-pressure removal without the etching or scarring often caused by highpressure water blasting or the use of media such as sand or other abrasive materials.

However, in some cases a contractor will not have access to a water source and may have to use spray bottles, sponges, rags, buckets, nylon brushes and scouring pads.

Proper safety procedures should be followed at all times when using a power washer. Wear gloves, goggles and other protective clothing as needed.

BARRIER OPTIONS

Cleaning graffiti can certainly damage a surface. Furthermore, removing graffiti from a painted surface can be extremely challenging because the removers not only will attack the graffiti, they also will remove the existing coating. In these cases, the use of either a sacrificial or nonsacrificial graffiti barrier is often considered and used.

Sacrificial graffiti barriers are typically used when a property owner is under tight budget restraints or when he or she believes continual graffiti damage will be isolated. This type of system is simply a wax- or paraffintype coating that gives “onetime” protection and enables “easy” graffiti removal using a power washer. However, although sacrificial graffiti barriers are less expensive from a materials standpoint, they become more expensive from a labor standpoint because of the need to reapply the coating after the initial removal.

For areas that are habitually tagged, painting contractors can utilize both “consultative” and “solution-selling” techniques by offering customers longterm solutions that enable “quick and easy” future graffiti removal. This means a nonsacrificial graffiti barrier coating specific to their substrates and needs. Aesthetically, this approach is more appealing and less labor-intensive than repainting or using a sacrificial graffiti barrier coating.

GO GREEN

The market today for graffiti control remains strong, and the trend continues to shift toward green products. Consumers and professional end users alike are more environmentally conscious. The challenge for manufacturers today is to provide safer alternatives to past formulations that included harsh solvents and toxic chemicals while maintaining effectiveness.

Simply put, graffiti control products need to be safe, effective and environmentally friendly.

John J. Petroci III is vice president of sales and marketing for Dumond Chemicals Inc., New York. Reach him at JPetroci@dumondchemicals. com. For more information, visit dumondchemicals.com.
APC