What is Graffiti?

Graffiti is the unauthorised placement of images and text on public spaces and buildings, often conveying visual messages. While some consider it art, it is typically illegal and involves the subjective transformation of various premises, including public buildings, company headquarters, underground passages, bridges, overpasses and more.

Street Art vs Graffiti

Street art and graffiti differ significantly: graffiti, typically text based and rooted in subcultures, is often seen as rebellious and sometimes as vandalism, while street art is image-focused, created with permission and often commissioned to engage a wider audience through aesthetic and social commentary.

An example of this distinction is evident in the work commissioned by Creative Places Darndale; after consulting with the community, an unattractive wall was transformed with artwork that resonated locally, and thanks to the protective coating supplied by PMAC, this street art still stands proud, shielded from graffiti.

Street Art in Darndale with anti-graffiti coating supplied by PMAC

Graffiti Removal

Although some graffiti works exhibit a high level of artistic skill, it’s important to acknowledge that “painting on walls” constitutes an act of vandalism, intentionally defacing other people’s property. Since graffiti artists usually operate anonymously and covertly, the responsibility for removing these painted images often falls on the property owners. However, graffiti removal is a challenging task that can entail significant costs and the need for building restoration.

Protection Against Graffiti 

One effective solution to combat this problem is to employ suitable forms of protection that facilitate easy graffiti removal. The most efficient way to guard against graffiti is to apply impregnators or coatings. Anti-graffiti coatings available in the market are well-suited for impregnating porous and smooth surfaces. They shield walls from paint absorption and enable straightforward removal using non-invasive methods. Anti-graffiti systems vary depending on the type of coating and are suitable for application on surfaces constructed from nearly any material, including clinker brick, marble, concrete, glass, wood, granite, polycarbonate, or other painted surfaces.

Graffiti Removal Methods

If you haven’t previously protected your building’s facade with an anti-graffiti coating and are now confronted with the challenge of removing graffiti, rest assured that PMAC has a solution tailored just for you. With 25 years of experience and expertise in modern technological solutions, our exceptional graffiti removers can effectively clean even surfaces that lack anti-graffiti coatings.

PMAC operatives removing large graffiti from stone wall

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