By Annabelle Holman


People who have ever taken part in removing graffiti from surface understand that the removal process is harder than applying. Normally the removal method used should depend on the type of surface in question. Various methods have been developed in different parts of the world for this job. However, when in need of the best graffiti removal Aurora is the right place to pay a visit.

Use of chemicals, repainting, scrubbing, emulsification, and sandblasting are some of the commonest removal methods available. This article discusses methods and the surfaces they can be applied on. Graffiti is commonly applied on metallic, masonry, plastic, glass, and wooden surfaces. Different types of surfaces may need various methods to be combined for elegant results to be achieved.

On metallic surfaces, common paint thinners may work well. Such thinners include acetone, mineral spirits, and lacquer thinner. Other chemical products may also do just great. Any remnants of paint can be removed by rubbing it off using bronze or steel wool. Light sandpaper can also be useful. If the graffiti paint was deeply seated and still remains, power washing can eliminate any remnants.

The condition of wooden surfaces dictates the method that can be used on them. Mineral spirit may do well on un-weathered wood still in good condition. However, mineral spirits are absorbed by weathered wood making the spirits ineffective. The absorbed spirit drives paint particles deeper into the wood instead of removing them. Power washing also drives paint deeper leaving repainting the only best option to be utilized.

Light penetrating oil should be applied to wipe plastic surfaces. Clouding and permanent tackiness may be caused by paint thinners hence their use on plastics must be avoided. Sandblasting scores highest among methods that can be applied on plastic surfaces. However, the method can only be applied on plastics that are hard and strong. Some forms of plastics are also cleaned well through rubbing softly using ultra-fine bronze or steel wool.

The most challenging surfaces to clean are masonry. One of the methods that can work is pressure washing at 3000 psi nozzle pressure. The graffiti should come out at such pressures when the right make of a pressure washer is used. If this fails, sandblasting can be tried. When sandblasting, the stream should be moved regularly without remaining at one point for a long time. That can cause etching instead of cleaning. The last option to consider should be painting.

Fragility of glass makes it another tricky surface to clean. Glass surfaces also get etched easily with least efforts. Glass surfaces should be scrapped with razor blades to avoid etching or breaking them. The blade should make an angle of 30 degrees with the surface and must be used in a holder. The efficiency level of this method on glass is 99 percent. Water and ultra-fine bronze wool may be used to remove any remnants left behind after scrapping.

Use of some of the methods poses certain risks to workers. As such, caution must be exercised to avoid injuries. Wearing protective gear like respirators and sunglasses can reduce the risks significantly.




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