DIY Graffiti Removal - The Guide for any Outdoor Surface

Graffiti breeds graffiti. Here's a guide for homeowners and business people to stamp it out quickly!

Select the surface type on the left to see the instructions on the right

• Aluminum siding and fiberglass
• Glass
• Masonry
• Metal
• Street Signs
• Stucco
• Vinyl Siding
• Wood
• Automotive Paint

Clean Graffiti from Aluminum siding and fiberglass

Use a paint remover in an aerosol spray can and then rinse thoroughly with water. Start by using just a small amount of the solvent and apply more if the graffiti does not come off easily.

Clean Graffiti from Glass

The best method for getting graffiti off of glass is to scrape away at it with a razor blade. You can also use ordinary paint thinner if the graffiti covers a large area.

Clean Graffiti from Masonry

For bricks, marble, stone tile, granite and concrete you can try pressure washing on low pressure. Sand blasting is also sometimes effective, but sometimes residue from the paint will remain behind, creating a sort of shadowy effect. Another approach is to use a graffiti remover and then scrub with a stiff wire brush. In some cases, it may be necessary to paint over the graffiti if other techniques don't produce results.

Clean Graffiti from Metal

To remove graffiti from smooth metal, use paint thinner or a graffiti remover and then scrub with steel wool or sandpaper until you lift off all of the painting. Repainting may be necessary in some cases.

Clean Graffiti from Street Signs

For street signs, graffiti remover is usually the best choice; however, it's important that you spot test an area on the sign first. Some solvents can remove the reflective coating on signs.

Clean Graffiti from Stucco

Because stucco is porous, it can be difficult to remove graffiti from it. The most successful approach is to use a graffiti remover and then pressure wash afterward. You may have to paint over.

Clean Graffiti from Vinyl Siding

Like street signs, vinyl siding can be cleaned with a chemical graffiti remover, provided that you do a spot check first. If you end up deciding to repaint, always use a primer as the first step.

Clean Graffiti from Wood

Sanding and pressure washing are the best methods for older wood. For newer wood that is painted, mineral spirits are sometimes effective. Repainting may be necessary in some cases.

Clean Graffiti from Automotive Paint

Getting your car sprayed is one of the biggest downers of all. Use acetone to dissolve the spray paint. Safe for most auto paints (but test a small area first). It will take some serious elbow grease, but it will come off. The sooner the easier.

Graffiti is a definite eyesore. Not only does it detract from the appearance of a building, but it also has a psychological effect. When people see graffiti, they often feel like an area may be unsafe or dangerous, which can mean less foot traffic for businesses. Fortunately, it is possible to remove graffiti, and you can often do so yourself with the right technique.

Colour Elegance are painters in Sydney who want to help home owners and businesses keep their street beautiful, so we created this guide to give you extra knowledge of how to effectively clean vandalism, wherever it's been placed.

When people try to remove graffiti on their own and fail, it's usually because they didn't use the right technique for the surface that they were trying to treat. Paint affects different types of surfaces in different ways, so you need to vary your approach depending on what's been vandalised. Here are the best ways to address graffiti on different types of surfaces:

If a historic building has been vandalised, it's a good idea to seek the help of a professional graffiti remover service rather than trying to address the problem on your own. Always be certain to read the instructions on solvents prior to use to ensure safety and best results.