Although there is ongoing discussion regarding the distinction between street art and graffiti, it is safe to say that the main distinction is that graffiti is against the law and requires permission from the building owner. The following list outlines the various forms of graffiti that are still present today.
- To Tag: Tagging serves as a graffiti artist's or tagger's distinctive mark. Typically, there is just one color and a simple design.
- Stencil: Graffiti stencils were made popular by the elusive street artist Banksy. It's a type of graffiti where an image or text is quickly and easily created using stencils.
- Throw-Up: A throw-up is similar to a more complex tag. It typically has lettering in the form of bubbles and two or more colors. Similar to a tag, throw-ups are performed quickly and frequently.
- Posters: Posters can be used to advertise an event, a party, or as an artistic expression. They are quick and simple to hang up. The posters are printed beforehand and then pasted up all over the city by marketers and billboards.
- Blockbuster: A blockbuster, which is typically written in blocky letters, is comparable to a massive throw-up. Blockbusters are used to quickly and thoroughly cover a large area. With the use of rollers, blockbusters can be painted more quickly and easily.
- Stickers: Similar to a small poster, a sticker or slap is also quick and simple to hang. Most stickers are just tags on postage labels, but occasionally they are more formal.
A few common materials used to create the various types of graffiti are also listed below. There are many contemporary tools and materials for making graffiti, though spray paint in aerosol cans is the most popular. From these decisions, a wide variety of graffiti styles, methods, and aptitudes have developed.
- Acrylic Spray Paint: The elements don't bother acrylic paints at all; they are completely weatherproof. Additionally, hardware and art supply stores have spray paint readily available. It is quick-drying and available in almost all colors. Additionally, acrylic spray paint is difficult to remove and covers surfaces like brick, wood, concrete, metal, plastic, and glass. Because of this, taggers favor it as a preferred medium.
- Oil Paints and Crayons: Crayons and oil paints are incredibly enduring and challenging to remove. Above all, oil does not dissolve, necessitating the use of specific chemicals to remove this kind of graffiti. They also come in a variety of colors, including metallics, and are quickly emerging as a tagger favorite.
- Markers: Similar to that, painters can tag their works on almost any surface using markers. These give taggers a quick way to leave their mark. Also, since you are not working with spray paint, their use is less untidy. Today, there is a huge selection of markers that work on every surface.
Professional Graffiti Removal
Ever questioned how anti-graffiti services and coatings operate? We'll discuss how and why you need them in this article. Continue reading to learn more!
How Graffiti Removal Works
In order to safely erase graffiti without harming the underlying concrete, brick, etc., sandblasting equipment is used.
There are four things to think about when asking about graffiti removal services:
- Time: You must move quickly if you find graffiti. The surface of your property will get more deeply etched with graffiti the longer it is on there. It will be simpler to eliminate the quicker you respond.
- Weather: The rate at which graffiti cleaning products work is accelerated by warmer temperatures. The procedure will take longer in colder conditions.
- Agitation: It helps to break the link between graffiti and the surface when graffiti cleaning products are applied with hard-bristled brushes or scourers. But, you must use caution while handling delicate surfaces to prevent damage to the underlying surface.
- Chemicals: It's crucial to choose the appropriate chemical for the job at hand. The surface you are trying to clean may become damaged if an improper chemical is used.
Contra-Graffiti Paint Coatings
If you have experienced graffiti attacks on a regular basis, you might think about finding a different solution than simply covering it up with paint. For example, painting over graffiti only gives the "artist" a fresh canvas, which typically leads to more defacing.
Using commercially available anti-graffiti paint, for instance, you can shield the afflicted surfaces. Unfortunately, there isn't a single anti-graffiti coating that works on all surfaces. Knowing which anti-graffiti coating best meets your demands is a crucial consideration. Anti-graffiti coatings come in three different varieties:
1. Sacrificial Coatings
Clear coatings, known as sacrificial coatings, shield the surface from attacks by paint, spray paint, and permanent markers. All that is required to erase graffiti from a sacrificial coating is a power washer or gentle solvent. The sacrificial coating and the graffiti are both removed during cleaning. After cleaning up the graffiti, you must reapply this coating.
2. Permanent or Non-Sacrificial Coatings
The base of long-life coatings is a two-pack of polyethylene. It is possible to use gentle cleaning agents because the coating creates a firm base. Without harming the coating, these solutions can easily dissolve and erase graffiti. Furthermore, if properly cared for and cleaned, a permanent coating can last up to 10 years.
3. Invisible Coatings
With both sacrificial and non-sacrificial coating options, this revolutionary technology provides a fully transparent defensive system. The benefits include:
- Invisible in appearance
- 3 to 4-year lifespan
- Safe to apply in public spaces
- Suitable for masonry surfaces like brick, bluestone, sandstone, concrete, and limestone
- Cleaning times were reduced by 45%
- Cleaning costs can be reduced by up to 50%
- Comes in two variants, sacrificial (replace after each clean) and non-sacrificial (replace after 5 cleans)
Graffiti Removal Price List and Factors That Can Affect Graffiti Removal Prices
Depending on the area, the type of graffiti, and the surface material, the cost to remove graffiti often ranges from $1 to $3 per square foot.
- Steam Cleaning – $140 - $235
- Dry Cleaning – $155 - $380
- Sandblasting – $300 - $900
The cost of cleaning graffiti varies depending on a number of factors. These are some of the more typical ones:
1. Graffiti Type
The price to remove graffiti depends on the type of graffiti. Spray paints, for instance, are available in a variety of chemical formulations, such as acrylics, alkyds, enamels, epoxies, and others. Using the same substance to remove various types is not advised. While some are easy and cheap to remove, others are more difficult and expensive.
Whatever the situation, it's usually preferable to use the method that causes the least amount of harm to the façade. For advice on how to handle the removal service, let a professional inspect the graffiti.
2. Substrate Type
The average cost of removing graffiti is also influenced by the substrate. Are the bricks in your facade, for instance, brittle and unable to withstand great pressure? Some cleaning techniques may be hazardous in this situation.
3. Removal Method
Steam Cleaning: This procedure involves heating the water to 150 degrees. High-pressure steam is sprayed across the facade, forcing the surface-mounted graffiti to melt automatically.
Dry Cleaning: For this technique, experts apply a chemical and biological substance to the façade with a brush. When this substance is used, a chemical reaction takes place, dissolving the dirt. The chemical is sprayed onto the façade, and then it is cleaned with water and a high-pressure cleaner. Steam can be used, if necessary, to remove residue from cleaning agents and loose debris.
Sandblasting: The façade is sprayed with a high-pressure blasting chemical. By using a very mild abrasive, the risk of injury is reduced to the absolute minimum.
Anti-Graffiti Coating: You can easily remove any future graffiti from your facade if you coat the wall. A semi-permanent or permanent anti-graffiti coating is available.
Painting Over Graffiti: Graffiti should not be covered up with paint. Dark aerosol paint, which will be visible through light paint, is typically used to create graffiti.
Even a dark hue would require multiple coats to completely cover it, requiring several layers of paint. Since you must paint layer after layer over a large area, this makes the job time-consuming and expensive, even if the graffiti only covers a small portion of the surface.
Your Location: The overall cost of graffiti cleaning may vary depending on where you are in the US. Large cities like New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Boston have more expensive service fees. Conversely, Memphis, Oklahoma, San Antonio, and Kansas all have cheaper labor expenses. The following inquiries should be made about yourself before hiring a graffiti removal service:
- Is the graffiti visible to the general public?
- Do you wish to lessen the chances of vandalism?
- Is there much pedestrian and vehicular traffic or plant life in your location?
- Where will the rinse water go?
Cates Pressure Washing
You can go to our website for more information on graffiti removal.
If you're interested in getting a quote for having graffiti removed by experts, contact Cates Pressure Washing. We provide all of our clients with affordable, professional work that is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.