Graffiti removal questions - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

CO2Solutions · 03-26-2008, 08:22 PM

Hey all, thought I'd ask the experts with experience a few questions:

-If you use chemicals (which I'm sure is required for graffiti) do you clean up afterwards? (water/chem waste) - this answer may change based on state I guess.

-hot water required? dependent on substrate and/or surface?

any info would be appreciated.

mike

Spectatorz · 03-27-2008, 04:12 PM

Hey Whoa Man,

Hold up a minute there.

I am not exactly what you might consider a Pro at Power Washing, but I am trying to get started offering the service in a limited scope.

So far my research tells me several things :

First of all,
Any Chemicals used Need to Be Environmentally Friendly / Biodegradable or at least they Should Be.

Second thing I find is,

In most cases of graffiti, Hot Water Power Washing can get the job done Without Chemicals.

Thirdly,

If the only option is a Cold water Wash system, Then the Chemicals mentioned here before Might Be Needed.

In my mind the question seems to be more of " Is it better to try and Paint Over the Graffiti on the surface or is it Unquestionably Power Washing as the Only Option ?" This is what must be determined based on the location and magnitude of graffiti.

and Fourthly,

The information is Out There and In Here if you Just Look.

To All the Pro's in this forum, Pardon me if I am mistaken.

**genecarp** · 03-27-2008, 04:38 PM

its a pain in the ass, no easy answer, when you cant paint over, it sucks, usually some residue left

CO2Solutions · 03-27-2008, 09:32 PM

Thanks for the responses, keep them coming.

Well, most of the graffiti that I would be doing is on brick - non painted. I have no experience with graffiti so this is new to myself. I'm assuming I'd need some sort of solution/chemical to assist in getting it off - can't be too aggressive on brick (age/type) as it tends to come apart easily (once again based on age and type of brick used). Frankly, I've had some experience with enviro friendly solutions and had very poor results and spoken with some top graffiti removal companies (one a chemist) near myself and they have also said enviro solutions are a nice idea but just don't work. I'd love to stay enviro friendly as that is what my business is geared towards...therefore, if anyone know of any good solutions that work please advise...thanks!

Mike

Spectatorz · 03-27-2008, 10:24 PM

That's great.
Have you tried power washing some brick first in order to see how it reacts to the system and pressures applied ?

Maybe a rotary tip instead of chemicals ?

I find in this forum the consensus is that http://www.taginator.com/

is the Real Deal.

In my research the supplier near me has been located and contact information saved on file.

There are other brands to choose from but we won't know what works for us until we try it out.

Not sure when I will need the juice yet, but this is what I plan on using.

Still doing research myself too.

CO2Solutions · 03-31-2008, 04:43 PM

do you require much pressure/GPM for graffiti removal when using Taginator? are you just basically just rinsing it away? Obviously this is a question for guys that have used Taginator or other graffiti removal products.

mike

MALCO.New.York · 03-31-2008, 05:40 PM

Successful Graffiti removal is more dependent upon WHAT SURFACE has been Graffitied than what sort of vehicle was used.

Complete removal nearly always requires the application of Non-Environmentally Friendly VOC's and a pressure wash or scrub.

You can try that Orange Based stuff but it is only effective on only on a limited number of surfaces.

Brick DOES NOT LIKE to be power washed. It loses its patina and the ENTIRE surface must be done in order to maintain an even surface hue.

CO2Solutions · 03-31-2008, 06:17 PM

Thanks, good info. I've picked up some Taginator and ordered some other solutions to try out/experiment. I'll eventually post some pics and results.
Yeah, I've seen examples of brick post graffiti treatment...not always great.

thx

mike

MALCO.New.York · 03-31-2008, 07:12 PM

Take it slow.......You will arrive.

Giftcard · 04-03-2008, 05:04 PM

http://www.taginator.com/ This product works great.

CO2Solutions · 04-03-2008, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giftcard

http://www.taginator.com/ This product works great.

I have some coming tomorrow...

As well, I'm trying out another company that supplies the larger cities in Ontario with graffiti removers http://www.graffitisolutionscanada.com/
They have a bunch of specific products for all types of surfaces, hopefully will be successful.

mike

CO2Solutions · 05-07-2008, 11:08 PM

Don't think I ever posted results on this? anyways, here's what went down:

Purchased Taginator and Graffiti Solutions products. On the brick I used Taginator and Rhino Blast (from Graffiti Solutions).

Taginator was tougher to apply as it's a thinner application - therefore when spraying it 'splashes' a little. It was a little tougher to apply - another contractor on another forum advised me to pick up some bentonite or kaolin clay from a pottery store and add it your mixture of Taginator and apply...this will bring it to a almost gel consistency. The Taginator performed really well, in some areas it took 2-3 applications but all the graffiti was removed in the end.

Rhino Blast was much safer to apply, however it takes longer to do so. It comes as a gel, sprays nicely from the bottle but then you need to brush it on into all crevases. It worked equally as well as the Taginator overall. Graffiti Solutions has a few more specific products to try out yet, I'll eventually post results.

For me, it will come down to price in the end.

StickBuild · 05-09-2008, 11:27 AM

I know this is power washing so I dont want to be out of line here...Another thing to use would be a blasting it most people would use sand but there is another avenue that is used for cleaning rocks and brick without the damage and it's safe to use no chemicals at all. Water clean up.

CO2Solutions · 05-09-2008, 08:24 PM

yeah, I'm not sure about sand but I know a lot of contractors use soda blasting for graffiti. I'm adding a multi media blaster to my business in the next month so I'm looking forward to trying different media out.

tom connelly · 07-07-2008, 11:27 AM

We have removed graffiti from multiple substrates: brick, concrete, painted surfaces, metal, adhesive surfaces, glass, even plexiglass (without blushing the resin - that was interesting). If done properly you can do a thorough removal with low pressure (temp doesn't matter). I think it is far better than painting. Sandblasting is extremely harsh on the substrate.

Tag Away and Taginator products work great.
EaCo Chem has excellent graffiti removal products.
ProSoCo also makes good graffiti removal chems

Gutter Clean & Power Wash
Hickory NC