Graffiti Control
The best approach for controlling graffiti depends on the surface: Masonry, metal, plastic, wood, or glass. The type of graffiti also makes a big difference: Ink pens, spray paints and adhesive stickers all require different approaches. When feasible, blasting systems are preferred for bare masonry or metal surfaces, and painting over is preferred for painted surfaces. See a summary of best strategies.
Required
Suggested
SoyGold 2500 Custom Mix Graffiti Remover: Soy/Benzyl Alcohol Manufacturer(s)
SoyGold (AGP) When to Use
Best all-purpose product tested for removing heavy spray paint, marker, and stickers from concrete, metal, and fiberglass. Must be custom mixed: 50% SoyGold 2500, 50% benzyl alcohol. Product/Service Type
Industrial |
Farrow System Recycled Glass Blasters Manufacturer(s)
Farrow Systems When to Use
Excellent performance for aggressive removal of spray paint on unpainted surfaces, with minimum residue. Product/Service Type
Industrial |
Aero Series Dry Ice Blasters Manufacturer(s)
Cold Jet When to Use
Excellent performance for gentle removal of spray paint on painted or unpainted surfaces, with minimum residue. Product/Service Type
Industrial |
United 627 Smart Solve Graffiti Wipes Manufacturer(s)
United Laboratories Inc. When to Use
Excellent for removing light spray paint from street signs, fiberglass, glass and bare metal. Product/Service Type
Industrial |
United 608 Smart Solve Gelled Graffiti Remover Manufacturer(s)
United Laboratories Inc. When to Use
Excellent for removing light spray paint from street signs, fiberglass, glass and bare metal. Product/Service Type
Industrial |
Taginator Manufacturer(s)
Equipment Trade Service Co. Inc. When to Use
Excellent for removing heavy spray paint from unpainted concrete blocks and other porous masonry surfaces, or light spray paint from fiberglass, glass and metal. Product/Service Type
Consumer, Industrial |
Motsenbockers Lift Off #4 Manufacturer(s)
Motsenbockers Lift Off When to Use
Excellent performance removing heavy spray paint and marker from concrete, fiberglass, and metal. Also removes light spray paint from street signs. Product/Service Type
Consumer, Industrial |
Graffiti Remover #99 (Ready To Use) Manufacturer(s)
Sustainable Earth by Staples Vendor(s)
Staples When to Use
Good for light spray paint graffiti on masonry, fiberglass, glass and metal. Product/Service Type
Consumer, Industrial |
Custom Mix Graffiti Remover: Acetone/Benzyl Alcohol Manufacturer(s)
SoyGold (AGP) When to Use
Good for removing heavy spray paint, marker, and stickers from concrete. Not tested on other surfaces. Must be custom mixed: 50% acetone, 50% benzyl alcohol. Product/Service Type
Industrial |
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Dry ice blaster graffiti removal machines
When to UseDry ice blasters offer a less aggressive paint removal option for unpainted metal and masonry, or for light graffiti on painted surfaces. They leave almost no residue.
Manufacturer(s)City Approved Vendor(s)Other Vendor(s)Product/Service TypeIndustrial -
UL Ecologo Certified Graffiti Removers
Manufacturer(s)See productsCity Approved Vendor(s)Other Vendor(s)Product/Service TypeConsumer, Industrial -
Recycled glass blaster graffiti removal machines
When to UseRecycled glass blaster machines worked well for removing graffiti from unpainted surfaces, especially metal or masonry. The machines aggressively remove paint and may be unsuitable for painted surfaces. Very little glass media is required, making waste disposal easier. Dry ice blasters are more appropriate when less aggressive removal is required, for example, on wood.
Manufacturer(s)City Approved Vendor(s)Other Vendor(s)Product/Service TypeIndustrial -
Painting over grafitti with low-VOC paint
When to UsePainting over graffiti with a low VOC (volatile organic compound) paint is a good choice on any painted surface, as long as the color can be matched. It is often cheaper and safer than using chemical graffiti removers.
Manufacturer(s)City Approved Vendor(s)Other Vendor(s)Product/Service TypeIndustrial -
Grafitti protective films - non sacrificial
When to UseCertain protective films were good options on street signs, where graffiti removers alone might damage the sign. These films cannot be removed once applied.
Manufacturer(s)City Approved Vendor(s)Other Vendor(s)Product/Service TypeIndustrial -
Graffiti protective films - sacrificial
When to UseWhen defaced with graffiti, transparent sacrificial films can be peeled off and replaced. They are especially useful for glass on transit buses. They also offer some protection against scratching or engraving.
Manufacturer(s)City Approved Vendor(s)Other Vendor(s)Product/Service TypeIndustrial -
Chemical graffiti remover products
When to UseChemical graffiti removers are appropriate for removing graffiti from some painted and unpainted surfaces. Some products are also effective on adhesive stickers. There is no single graffiti remover that can accomplish all tasks and generally several graffiti removers are used, depending on the need. Products vary widely in their effectiveness on spray paint vs. paint markers. They are not appropriate for street signs or rough masonry. Blasting machines may be a better choice for unpainted surfaces, and for uniformly painted surfaces painting over with color-matched low-VOC paint is preferable.
Manufacturer(s)City Approved Vendor(s)Other Vendor(s)Product/Service TypeIndustrial
Limited
Prohibited
Info on this product category: Graffiti Control
Why Go Green
Toxicity: Graffiti removers pose significant hazards to workers as well as potential environmental impacts. Chemical graffiti removers often contain methylene chloride, a Prop 65 carcinogen that is listed by EPA as a Hazardous Air Pollutant, and listed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) as a Toxic Air Contaminant. CARB regulations forbid the use of this solvent in graffiti removers, but products are still available elsewhere. Perhaps the most common ingredient is n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, a reproductive and developmental toxin that is also listed on California’s Proposition 65 and classified as a VOC. Another common ingredient in graffiti resistant coatings is tert-butyl acetate, which metabolizes into tert-butyl alcohol, a carcinogen. Finally, nonyl phenol ethoxylates are sometimes used in graffiti removers as surfactants; these are endocrine disrupting chemicals.
Volatile Organic Compounds: Despite CARB regulations, some commercial graffiti remover products contain levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exceeding the legal limits of 30% (50% for aerosols). VOCs contribute to the formation of smog. Some paints used for painting over graffiti may also contain high levels of VOCs. Some blasting equipment can produce significant residues, which cannot be legally washed down the drain due to the potential presence of hazardous paint chips or other materials.
Ingredients Disclosure: Most commercial graffiti removers tested do not disclose all ingredients. Although manufacturers are required to disclose all ingredients classified as toxic by the US EPA, the EPA list does not include all chemicals that pose hazards. Look for products with the US EPA Design for the Environment label, or use custom mixed products.
Criteria for Graffiti Control
Criteria for Suggested products:
For graffiti removal on unpainted surfaces, dry ice or recycled glass blasting systems are preferred.
Chemical graffiti removal products or protective coatings should not contain methylene chloride, n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, tert-butyl acetate, or nonyl phenol ethoxylates.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) must be 30% or less for non-aerosol graffiti removers and 50% for aerosol products, using the definition of VOCs listed in California Air Resources Board's (CARB) Consumer Product Regulation. Graffiti coatings must have a VOC content of less than 100 grams per liter. Paints for overpainting graffiti should either be certified under Green Seal GS-11, Green Seal GS-43, or should have a recycled content of at least 50% and VOC content of 50g/l or lower.
For all products, full ingredient disclosure is preferred, either directly or via certification by the US EPA's Design for the Environment Program, Green Seal, UL (under its EcoLogo Program) or Cradle to Cradle.
Last updated
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Industrial Supplies Contract ,
May 7, 2017
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Graffiti Control: Safer Alternative Graffiti Management Methods for California ,
February 2, 2015
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Paints, Recycled Content Latex: GS-43 ,
January 16, 2015
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Paints and coatings: GS-11 ,
December 26, 2014
Reports
Safer Alternative Graffiti Management Methods for California, a 2014 report by the Institute for Research and Technical Assistance, is an alternatives analysis of various grafitti control methods and products. The report was funded by US EPA Region IX, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and the San Francisco Department of the Environment.
Guide for City Staff
City Custodians:
- Are required to buy these cleaners (if needed):
- Dish soaps
- Floor finishes and strippers
- Furniture polish
- General purpose cleaners
- Glass cleaners
- Hand soaps
- Hand sanitizers
- Odor control
- Other cleaners, such as bathroom cleaners (non-disinfecting/non-sanitizing), including grout cleaners and toilet cleaners; carpet, rug and upholstery cleaners, including concentrated pre-spray, spot and stain removers, carpet shampoos and bonnet cleaners; cleaner-degreasers; enzymatic restroom cleaners; floor cleaners (including concentrated neutral floor cleaners, dust and damp mop cleaners); glass cleaners; multipurpose cleaners, including peroxide-based cleaners, deodorizers (odor control), toilet blocks and screens
- Toilet deodorizers
- Post the City department green cleaning checklist/poster.
- Post tips (for microfibers, disinfecting, dusting, polishing, floor care, kitchens, restrooms) and watch custodial green cleaning training videos in English, Cantonese, and Spanish made by SF Environment.
- Disinfectants are only important for surfaces like doorknobs.
- Switch to microfiber mops and cloths, which can prevent injuries because there's no need for heavy mop buckets.
- Install closed-loop dilution systems (if possible) to prevent employee exposure to hazardous concentrates.
Non-custodial City Staff:
- Try microfiber cloths, which can get rid of 99% of bacteria with plain water.
- Get discounted consumer general purpose cleaners, disinfectants, dish soaps, hand sanitizers.
- Make cleaners (air fresheners, oven cleaners, mold and mildew remover, wood furniture polish) with things like baking soda, castille soap, or lemon juice.
Recycling Instructions
It's illegal to trash cleaners (and other chemicals, electronics, lighting, metal, paints). So do one of the following:
- Use what you already have.
- Give them to someone who needs them.
- Legally and safely dispose them. Post this recycling poster above each trash bin. Then get a pick up.
Guide for Small Businesses & Homes
- Try microfiber mops and cloths, which can get rid of 99% of bacteria with plain water.
- Make your own cleaners from common materials like baking soda, castille soap, or lemon juice.
- See consumer products on GoodGuide.
- Use disinfectants sparingly. The most important surfaces are doorknobs.
- Choose ready-to-use, peroxide- or citric acid-based disinfectants. Avoid disinfectants that list hypochlorites or quaternary ammonium compounds as ingredients (e.g., ammonium chloride).
- Small businesses can save money by switching to industrial/institutional cleaners. Ready-to-use products are 15 times more expensive than concentrates.
- Custodial companies that are SF Green Businesses should watch custodial green cleaning training videos in English, Cantonese, and Spanish and consider posting Custodial Green Cleaning Tips (available in Spanish and Chinese) by SF Environment.
- Legally and safely dispose of cleaners (and other chemicals, electronics, lighting, metal, paints) in the San Francisco Bay Area or rest of the U.S.
Guide for Large Organizations
- Post the Custodial Green Cleaning Checklist/Poster and Tips (available in Spanish and Chinese).
- Watch custodial green cleaning training videos in English, Cantonese, and Spanish made by SF Environment.
- When creating contracts, paste specifications from the Criteria section above.
- Try microfiber mops and cloths, which can get rid of 99% of bacteria with plain water.
- Install closed-loop dilution systems to prevent employee exposure to hazardous concentrates.
- Legally and safely dispose of cleaners (and other chemicals, electronics, lighting, metal, paints) in the San Francisco Bay Area or rest of the U.S.
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