What is graffiti?
Graffiti is largely one of the remnants of the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. However, it became more popular in our modern world with the emergence of the hip pop culture in the United States of America and in other parts of the world. Today, graffiti has become a regular visual scourge that we experience in different parts of the neighborhood. It should be emphasized that graffiti is different from street art. Graffiti is a form of painting that the authority considers to be illicit as it defaces property in public places.
Is graffiti a crime?
Graffiti, which was originally an artistic expression of the artist’s feelings or beliefs, refers to illegal paintings scribbled, scratched or sprayed on a wall or other surface in a public place. Most developed countries of the world such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, etc have defined graffiti in terms of an act of vandalism, criminalizing the practice.
Nevertheless, the stern legal prohibition against graffiti hasn’t produced total compliance as some people still carry out illicit paintings on both private and public property.
Remove graffiti immediately when you notice it
Immediately after you notice graffiti on your property, the next step to take is to get rid of it. This can be daunting sometimes as some graffiti can be quite difficult to remove. The size of the wall or surface that the painting occupies is another factor that determines the resources and energy needed to clean it. Most of these illegal paintings are usually done with aerosol, spray paints and permanent makers.
How to remove graffiti from different surfaces
To remove graffiti from metal surfaces, you can use paint thinner or mineral spirit. If there’s no improvement you can apply chemical solvent and then rub with bronze wool or light sandpaper. In addition, you can also try power-washing it with a 3000 psi pressure washer. This method is suitable for graffiti on metal, plastic and masonry surfaces.
However, removing graffiti from wood surfaces may require a different approach. When dealing with a wood that is not weathered, you can apply mineral spirit or chemical solvents on the surface and then rub gently with bronze wool or light sandpaper. However, this strategy may not work on a wood that is weathered as it can push the paint deeper inside the wood.
Who should remove graffiti?
Graffiti made on public property is usually removed by the local authorities. Individuals using the property are expected to immediately report to the authorities for immediate action. In the case of graffiti made on private property, the owner takes responsibility of cleaning and it should be done almost immediately it’s noticed because the longer the graffiti stays on the surface the more difficult it is to remove
Benefits of graffiti removal
Removing graffiti from your property enables it to reclaim its aesthetic quality. In other words, your property can maintain it natural outlook and remain beautiful ever. Another benefit of removing graffiti from your property is to send a note of warning to the tagger that you have a zero-tolerance for such an act. Conversely, refusal to remove graffiti tacitly suggests that your property is rarely monitored and they would more likely come after your property again.
As graffiti can affect a property’s value and cause lasting damage, you should keep vigilant against graffiti. With these tips you should have no trouble keeping your property looking fresh and welcoming to visitors.