Specialist coatings have been developed to help protect surfaces from graffiti, glue from fly posters, pollution and grime, namely, anti graffiti and anti fly poster coatings. Not only can the graffiti and pollution have a harmful effect on the surface of a building in the first instance but repeated cleaning can also damage the integrity of the surface, which can cause other problems.

Certain structures are particularly susceptible to graffiti such as subways, rail sidings, industrial buildings and communal areas (stairwells/corridors). Although the coatings cannot stop the area being subject to graffiti it can make it easier to clean off. There are two options available:

Sacrificial Coatings

Sacrificial coatings act as a barrier between the surface and the graffiti and when cleaned they wash off along with the graffiti or dirt. The coating then needs to be reapplied to offer continued protection. Sacrificial coatings are useful as a preventative measure where there is no habitual problem with graffiti and if it occurs it can be easily removed.

Permanent coatings

For a more robust option permanent coatings are used as they can protect the underlying surface for up to ten years, dependent on the specification applied. This protection does however mean that the surface is shiny in appearance. They are well suited to non porous structures like lamp posts, utility boxes and other street furniture, subways and internal communal areas.

There are also permanent coatings designed to repel paint and glue and prevent them from adhering properly to the coating, which means they can be easily removed using soap and water or mild graffiti removal chemicals. These permanent coating are micro-porous and allow the substrate to breath so they are suited to porous surfaces like brick, stone and concrete.

Permanent coatings are useful where the problem of graffiti is constant and regular cleaning is commonplace.

Alternative Options

Bagnalls can also look at other options for graffiti removal where no previous coating has been applied including high pressure water jetting and chemical cleaning.

Suppliers

All surfaces and requirements differ, so please contact your local Bagnalls branch who will work with our supply chain to offer you the best solution, these include, Urban Hygiene’s Easy-on, Dulux Trade anti-graffiti finish, Crown Trade Timonox Flame Retardant anti-graffiti glaze and Johnstone’s 3 step anti-graffiti coating.