Graffiti cleaning
We restore affected surfaces quickly and safely
As defined by the RAE, graffiti is “a signature, text, or pictorial composition generally made in public places, on a wall or other resistant surface.” Although it is often an expression of urban art, it can also cause discomfort among property owners and neighbors and damage the structure on which it has been created.
At Serlim, a company providing a wide range of cleaning services, we are specialists in graffiti removal on any surface, with the guarantee of preserving the material in good condition. As a professional company in this field, before starting the removal of graffiti, we take different factors into account:
- Identify the surface on which the graffiti must be removed, as the strategy will vary depending on it.
- Determine when the graffiti was created to estimate the time required for its removal.
- Analyze the cleaning options according to the materials and tools to be used.
At Serlim, we have a team of professionals who analyze the surface and determine the steps to follow for proper graffiti removal.
What should we take into account when removing graffiti?
Removing graffiti from porous and permeable surfaces such as stone, marble, or brick is often a complex task that requires thorough preparation before starting the cleaning process.
One of the key aspects to consider is the type of paint used to create the graffiti. In most cases, aerosols, acids, plastic paints, or permanent markers are used, but recently shoe polish, lipstick, or stripping products have also appeared to create discoloration effects. In any case, all of these contain substances that penetrate the pores of different surfaces and make graffiti removal more difficult, depending on the depth reached and how embedded the material is.
Obviously, the solution is not to paint over the graffiti, but to completely remove it so that the building’s aesthetics are not affected and no further damage is caused to the structure.
Hire comprehensive graffiti removal services
Shop windows, monuments, building façades, traffic signs, etc.—practically nothing is spared from graffiti, a practice that has proliferated in recent times and has become a common problem for both public administrations and property owners or business owners, who must bear the cost of cleaning services by a specialized company, the affected surface, and any damages caused.
Effective methods for graffiti removal
There are different ways to remove graffiti. Below, we explain some tips to restore the damaged surface, although the most recommended approach is to hire an expert graffiti removal service that effectively removes the graffiti while preserving the surface.
Chemical products are the most suitable for eliminating the substances used in graffiti and help maintain the painted surface in good condition. The days of sandblasting, which removed the top layer of walls but excessively damaged the surface and increased reconstruction costs, are behind us. Today, chemical products can remove graffiti without harming the surface.
Before starting the cleaning process, the graffiti cleaning company must analyze the surface to choose the most appropriate product. Typically, a test is conducted on a small section of the surface to determine whether the product is suitable for removal without affecting the material or, on the contrary, could damage it.
There are different ways to remove graffiti. Below, we explain some tips to restore the damaged surface, although the most recommended approach is to hire an expert graffiti removal service that effectively removes the graffiti while preserving the surface.
Chemical products are the most suitable for eliminating the substances used in graffiti and help maintain the painted surface in good condition. The days of sandblasting, which removed the top layer of walls but excessively damaged the surface and increased reconstruction costs, are behind us. Today, chemical products can remove graffiti without harming the surface.
Before starting the cleaning process, the graffiti cleaning company must analyze the surface to choose the most appropriate product. Typically, a test is conducted on a small section of the surface to determine whether the product is suitable for removal without affecting the material or, on the contrary, could damage it.
Graffiti prevention
To minimize the impact of graffiti on a surface, prevention is key. Anti-graffiti coatings can be applied to prevent paint from strongly adhering, allowing new graffiti to be cleaned in a simple, fast, and safe manner.
Is there any way to prevent graffiti?
The accumulation of reports in municipal offices is clear evidence that the proliferation of graffiti is a reality in urban architecture. While graffiti is sometimes considered art, it also dirties and damages the façades of homes, monuments, trains, and other public or private structures. This raises the question: is there any way to prevent graffiti?
Graffiti is usually created with aerosols, acids, plastic paints, or markers, which penetrate the pores of surfaces and can reach up to a centimeter deep. To reduce the impact of graffiti on surfaces, anti-graffiti products can be applied, protecting the surfaces by preventing paint from penetrating porous systems or adhering to them, thereby facilitating subsequent cleaning.
Additionally, there are other alternatives that help prevent graffiti, such as vinyl films applied to glass, which make cleaning easier and protect the glass from scratches. These films last between five and eight years, depending on the maintenance they receive.
Graffiti cleaning companies handle the removal of graffiti from all types of façades or urban furniture, using specialized products that do not damage the rest of the surface. However, it should be noted that graffiti is generally applied to porous surfaces, which can make removal difficult in some cases.
What techniques are used for graffiti removal in Madrid?
The city of Madrid is one of the most covered with graffiti, which poses a real headache for many residential communities. This problem, already visible on the façades of public institutions, metro cars, and train stations, has become part of the daily image of Madrid and other cities in the country.
Graffiti is considered urban art and, in most cases, is created by young people to express their feelings and emotions and showcase their creativity. This practice is commonly seen on walls or monuments in streets and neighborhoods of culturally active cities.
Constant complaints create the need to hire graffiti cleaning services in Madrid, and these services are carried out by fully trained professionals with the technical means to remove graffiti and restore a façade or monument to its original state.
The key to effective graffiti removal lies in the professionals performing it. At Serlim, we are experts in graffiti cleaning, so if you are interested, do not hesitate to contact us.
