graffiti cost

Graffiti, a problem that's thousands of years old Graffiti, is the act of paint marking other people’s or public property without their consent, has been around for thousands of years, so it’s unlikely we are ever going to eradicate it completely. But there are proven ways to discourage today’s graffiti vandals and protect property against constant defacement. So let’s begin our war on graffiti with these top tips. Is graffiti art? In rare cases, it can be argued that some graffiti has artistic merit. But 99.9% of it is pure vandalism. So, unless you are dealing with a Banksy, Eduardo Kobra, David Choe, Lady Pink or a recognised muralist it is pretty likely that you are dealing an unworthy scribble of a vandal. Graffiti in Australia is a criminal offence and punishable in most states with a hefty fine or imprisonment. It’s also against the law to possess paint or markers with the intent of defacing property. Graffiti laws may vary depending on the state as stated in the following government links for NSW, WA, QLD, VIC, but overall it is a crime. The economic and social costs of graffiti Graffiti costs Australian businesses and authorities around $1.5 billion a year to clean up and control. But there’s also a social cost. When graffiti is allowed to remain on buildings, property and infrastructure, it negatively affects the perception of safety, security and quality of life in that area. It also attracts more graffiti. What is it trying to say? There are various styles of graffiti. The simple one-colour tag is the vandal’s unique signature. Then there’s the throw-up or blockbuster with its characteristic colourful bubble-style or blocky letters. More modern graffiti includes the use of stencils or even posters. The underlying message can be about the individual – the tagger, gang-related or politically motivated. Our message? It needs to go. Be quick. They hate that! Graffiti vandals thrive on seeing their work defacing property for as long as possible. So a great way to ruin their day is to have the graffiti professionally removed straight away. That way, the vandals don’t get the satisfaction of an audience. And they really hate that! How to prevent graffiti? Keep Australia Beautiful’s David Imrie recommends a multi-action strategic approach to prevent graffiti. “Use one of the commercial anti-graffiti coatings on exterior walls, remove any graffiti as soon as it appears and keep the exterior well lit. Good exterior lighting and visible security cameras are good deterrents.” Cheap graffiti protection? Don't make the sacrifice There are two basic types of anti-graffiti coating. A sacrificial coating is cheap and easy to apply, but once defaced needs to be removed along with the graffiti and reapplied. This makes it an expensive choice for areas prone to frequent graffiti attacks. A non-sacrificial coating is a tough, two-part epoxy which forms an invisible barrier which resists the harsh chemicals used to remove graffiti. Applied properly, it can last up to 10 years. Non- sacrificial anti-graffiti paints are also available in most colours. How anti-graffiti coatings contain costs? Concrete, cement and brick surfaces are highly porous and unless they are sealed will absorb all types of paint and marker inks. Conventional paint will seal the surface, but if defaced, the whole area will have to be repainted to avoid a patchwork effect. A non- sacrificial anti-graffiti coating is a barrier between the substrate and the outside word – so only the graffitied areas need to be cleaned leaving the building or structure looking as good as new. For an obligation-free assessment and quote of your premises simply click here. We hate graffiti as much as you do At Kleenit, we’ve been waging war on graffiti for over 30 years and have the equipment, manpower and materials to remove any graffiti from anywhere. We’re also the anti-graffiti coating experts using the very latest techniques using materials approved by the relevant authorities. If your civil project or building needs cleaning or protecting, then call the industry experts for advice and an obligation-free quote.

Acting fast on graffiti removal is key! Every business or home can be subject to vandalism such as graffiti from time to time. Unfortunately, this can damage your reputation and alienate customers or make your home or property look downright ugly. For many, the test of how much you care about your property will be in how swift you react to problems such as graffiti. You could have a go at removing it yourself with household cleaning products, over the counter solvents, get out the high-pressure cleaner (see our article on High-Pressure Cleaners) or even paint over it, Yuk Below’s a bit of advice on having a go yourself and some of the problems and dangers. We would recommend checking your insurance policy first. If you cause more damage are you covered? You might even find that you are covered to have the graffiti professional removed. Graffiti cleaning household solutions The first thing you want to do is check if the painted surface is porous or sensitive to chemicals, sometimes trying to fix it without understanding the material reaction can make things worse. If your marked surface is plastic, try first using a simple soap and water solution or a light, penetrating oil. You might find the product used wasn’t permanent and you’re able to lessen the impact. If the marked area is metal, you can try a paint thinning solution or a light, penetrating oil. Over-the-counter solvents to remove graffiti? If you’re struggling to make a dent with household solutions, there is a range of solvents and other cleaning products on the market that can be used for graffiti removal. However, these products can contain toxic substances and are often highly flammable. Make sure you always read the instructions on safe use, wearing the proper eye, skin and mouth protection. These products might also not be suitable for use on worn wood which can absorb the chemicals and the graffiti paint too, making the problem even more ingrained. Steel wool VS. graffiti If you’re prepared to put in a long, hard slog, then it’s possible to remove graffiti using steel wool or a wire brush. Be aware though that this process will take a long time and will leave marks. That’s why you should only use it on a surface which will eventually return to normal through weathering, such as concrete, stone, some metal and outdoor wooden surfaces. High pressure washing to remove graffiti works! A high-pressure cleaner is one of the best means of removing graffiti and can be used on a range of surfaces from masonry to plastic and wood. However, not many people have access to a high-pressure cleaner and may not know how to use one; therefore, you’d be best to use a company offering high-pressure cleaning services for graffiti removal (see our article on High-Pressure Cleaners). When to cover graffiti up? If the graffiti is stubborn, you may decide to just repaint the surface. Of course, this isn’t ideal, especially if the area wasn’t painted, to begin with, however, if you decide to walk this path, make sure you have the closest colour of paint or use a paint matching system. It’s also possible that some of the graffiti will continue to show through, even under several layers of paint. Choosing wisely between, Painting, paint removal, cover-up, or acid wash, acetone and other solvents, sand, or other graffiti cleaning techniques can be the difference between a successful graffiti removal and costly property damage. Remove graffiti the fast, safe and easy way The best way to prevent graffiti from becoming a long-term problem is to deal with it quickly. Kleenit can provide graffiti removal with 48 hours to sites across Australia, using biodegradable chemicals and the latest technology, helping your premises get back to looking smart and professional as soon as possible. We can even follow up with an anti-graffiti coating to prevent the problem recurring in future.