The Wrong Way(s) to Remove Graffiti
We Really Like Doing Graffiti Removal
Graffiti removal is one of our favorite things to do. Occasionally, we run into really tough jobs that are difficult or impossible to fix. But, by using the right techniques with the proper chemicals, we usually can make unwanted tags disappear like they never happened. When the job is done right, it really gives us the satisfaction of making our community a cleaner and more attractive place to live, work, and play. One key to a successful outcome is to let a professional work on the job from the start. If someone doesn’t know what they are doing, they can actually make the problem worse by driving the graffiti paint too deep into the surface to completely remove. In the worst case scenario, they can seriously damage the property they were trying to clean.
Here are few examples where we weren’t called until AFTER someone else tried to remove the graffiti first.
Denver's Free Graffiti Removal Program Takes a Really Blunt Approach
This storefront in Denver was hit pretty hard by graffiti vandals. We had removed some graffiti from this property in the past, so the owner knew how expensive the job would likely be. So, instead, they called for help from Denver’s free graffiti removal program.
Now, don’t get me wrong. The city’s program is a valuable service that often does a solid job removing graffiti. But, they have a lot of area to cover and they are under time and fiscal constraints, so they will approach a job like this focusing on efficiency, not aesthetics. In this case, they solved the problem by painting the entire building black. WINDOWS, DOORS and ALL.
So, while the property owner saved money by taking advantage of the city’s service. They certainly got what they didn’t pay for.
After the city’s free paint job, the property owner called us to remove the paint from the window and door glass and frames. At this point, instead of removing only the graffiti tags, we also needed to remove the paint layer that the city added as well, so the job ended up taking more time (at more expense) than we would have charged for the same areas in the first place.
And, sadly, the end result was not as good as what we would have been able to do if we had tackled the job from the start.
With Great Pressure - Comes Great Damage
One of the biggest misconceptions about using a pressure washer to remove a graffiti tag is that it’s all about the power. Nothing could be further from the truth. The key to successfully removing graffiti is to apply the proper chemical products that will break the bond between the paint and the surface that it is on. After that bond is sufficiently loosened, then you use only as much pressure as necessary to wash away the paint.
The manager of this self-storage facility in Aurora called us for a quote to remove some large tags from their building. We inspected the site and gave them our proposal. It wouldn’t be cheap, but tags this size take time and plenty of chemical to remove. And the professional chemicals we use cost us a professional-level expense (in other words, they’re expensive to buy).
The manager said they would consider our quote and get back in touch.
He did call us back after a couple weeks. But, said that in the intervening days they had someone else try to remove the graffiti who “made about 1/3 of one of the walls better.” He asked us to come out and remove the rest, and was hopeful that maybe we could charge less because the work the other person did.
When we arrived, this is what we found. Whoever it was that tried the removal, obviously used a “zero tip” and the highest pressure they could get to try to simply blast the graffiti off the wall. While that certainly removed some of the paint, it also removed layers of the concrete from the wall as well, causing substantial damage.
We were able to remove the remaining graffiti paint from the walls. But we couldn’t do anything about the damage that was done by the other pressure washer. A portion of the tagger’s “art” is now permanently etched into the wall. And the owners didn’t end up saving any money.
The Stuff They Sell at the Big Box Stores Often Won't Do the Job
When we got the call from the property manager of this condo building in Denver, they sent along two photos. One showed the original graffiti tag. The other showed what the wall looked like after the homeowner tried to remove it with an off-the-shelf product. Their removal attempt was partially successful – but it left a substantial ghost “shadow” and also ate into the green paint on the metal ledge above.
When we get calls like this, we always make clear that we’ll do our best, but we can’t promise what the result will be. Store-bought chemicals can often make the situation worse by dissolving the paint, but pushing it further into the surface to the point where we can’t remove it all. This is especially true when the person using the chemical doesn’t have a lot of experience using it.
In this case, we got lucky. We used our special shadow removing chemical and some patience to give it the time it needed, and we were able to remove what was left behind. If we had worked on the tag from the start, we would have also used a seperate chemical designed for painted surfaces on that metal ledge that would likely have prevented that damage.
As small business owners ourselves, especially in this economic climate, we certainly understand the need to control costs wherever you can. But sometimes being penny wise can end up being pound foolish. Before you consider tackling a graffiti removal job on your own – consider whether you have the tools and experience to properly handle the cleanup yourself. We think you’ll find that it would be more cost-effective in the long run – with a much better aesthetic result – to hire a professional like Wash On Wheels who has has years of experience cleaning up graffiti all over the Front Range.
We'll do the job right - the first time!
Graffiti Taggers Don’t Take Winters Off in Denver
Graffiti taggers are nothing if not persistent. Graffiti taggers often work regardless of the weather, showing a real dedication to marking their territory and spreading their message. Colorado's cold winters, snow, or rain usually won’t deter them, and they often...
Graffiti Removal At Denver Center For The Performing Arts
We got a call for graffiti removal on the top floor of the parking garage for the Denver Center For The Performing Arts. The call was from Standard Parking, the company that manages the parking garage for the Denver Center For The Performing Arts. And the taggers had...
Graffiti Removal At Longmont’s Sandstone Ranch
There was a big story on the CBS4 local news channel and in the Longmont Times Call newspaper about the large number of tags. Many of the rock faces were covered and the people who went there to visit nature were outraged. Longmont Residents Upset Over Rash...