​Graffiti is a gateway crime. Individuals who start breaking minor laws like graffiti and petty theft often end up committing more serious crimes, especially in communities with high amounts of gang activity and graffiti tagging. Graffiti is the "canary in the coal mine" for criminals to test how effective community policing is at preventing criminality. Additionally, Ggraffiti creates a visually blighted environment which sends the message that that crime tolerated which encourages further crime and disorder and discourages home owners and business owners from reinvesting in their community.

Approximately 80% of graffiti is “graffiti tagging”.  Tagging is essentially the street name of a graffiti tagger and is indented to show off to friends. These tags are often small, single color and include the tagger's street nickname. The bigger and more brazen the graffiti tag, the more street credibility the graffiti tagger gets.  The sooner the graffiti tag is removed, the better.  Ideally graffiti tags should be removed with 24 to 48 hours to discourage further graffiti tags.

Approximately 10% of graffiti is gang related, often designed to claim territority for drug sales and other illegal activities from rival gangs. These tags are often black spray paint, have large symbols, and are located on corner buildings. 

The remaining 10% of graffiti are street art.  Street art is not harmful.  Most street art requires skill and is intended to create visual interest on the street.  Street art often takes the form of stickers or small scale murals.  Street art is is typically not found on sensitive private property and is more likely found on public property such as street signs and semi-public property such as newspaper boxes.  

Graffiti tags and gang-graffiti should be removed as quickly as possible.  Street art does not need to be removed.  Clean City Pro graffiti removers are fast and effective graffiti removal tools that can help speed the removal of graffiti tags and gang-graffiti.  Please visit the graffiti removal product selection guide at www.CleanCityPro.com to find the best graffiti remover for your unique graffiti tag.

​New strategy for discouraging graffiti: Ohio judge orders graffiti tagger to use toothbrush instead of paint brush as part of sentence.

After being caught for spray painting graffiti on a railroad caboose, Judge Michael Cicconetti gave the graffiti tagger a choice.

Option 1: 10 days in jail

or 

Option 2: Paint railings with a toothbrush. The toothbrush required hours of effort while a paint brush could have completed the job in minutes.  

When asked about this creative sentsense, Chief Probation Officer Dave Washlock said, “Somebody will think twice. Maybe they’re gonna vandalize or paint something else. The message is here. You’re caught in this court’s jurisdiction, this could be you.” 

Two teenage graffiti vandals tagged the Milford High School, not far from Boston, in Milford Massachusetts with red and black spray paint.  The spray paint graffiti appeared on the school's front doors and on a variety of wood and painted structures on the athletic fields.  

The best graffiti remover for metal and glass doors is Clean City Pro Green Label Graffiti Remover for painted surfaces. Clean City Pro green Label Graffiti Remover is a fast, effective and safe medium duty graffiti remover for removing Spray Paint, Permanent Marker, adhesive and stickers from a Wide Range of smooth Surfaces including Painted Metal, Plastics, trains, buses, vehicles, panel trucks, bumpers, playgrounds, bathroom partitions, mail boxes, benches, and much more.

Step-by-step instructions for removing Graffiti from Smooth Surfaces such as a painted metal and glass front door.

APPLICATION BEST PRACTICES FOR REMOVING GRAFFITI FROM SMOOTH SURFACES using Clean City Pro Medium Duty Green Label Graffiti Remover.
1.  Always test in inconspicuous area before use.
2.  Use chemical resistant gloves and ventless goggles.
3.  Spray Clean City Pro graffiti remover onto affected area.  (Ready-to-use. No dilution necessary)
4.  Prevent drips using non-scratch scouring pad, microfiber, cotton rag or soft paper towel. 
5.  Allow dwell time (from 30 seconds to 3 min).  Note warmer ambient temperature and scrubbing increase speed of graffiti removal.
6.  As soon as graffiti tag bond with substrate "breaks", lightly loosen paint with non-scratch scouring pad, microfiber, cotton rag or soft paper towel.  The quicker the process, the less likely there will be any paint loss from substrate.
7.  Wipe clean with dry rag or towel.
8.  Rinse with water or wipe with wet rag to remove any remaining graffiti residue. 

The best graffiti remover for painted wood and metal bleachers is Clean City Pro Red Label Graffiti Remover for painted surfaces. Clean City Pro Red Label Graffiti Remover is a fast, effective and safe heavy duty graffiti remover for removing Spray Paint and Permanent Marker from a Wide Range of Surfaces including Painted Metal, Plastics, Concrete, Brick and More  

Step-by-step instructions for removing Graffiti from Smooth Surfaces
APPLICATION BEST PRACTICES FOR REMOVING GRAFFITI FROM SMOOTH SURFACES using Clean City Pro Heavy Duty Red Label Graffiti Remover.

1.  Always test in inconspicuous area before use.
2.  Use chemical resistant gloves and ventless goggles.
3.  Spray Clean City Pro graffiti remover onto affected area.  (Ready-to-use. No dilution necessary)
4.  Prevent drips using non-scratch scouring pad, microfiber, cotton rag or soft paper towel. 
5.  Allow dwell time (from 10 seconds to 3 min).  Note warmer ambient temperature and scrubbing increase speed of graffiti removal.
6.  As soon as graffiti tag bond with substrate "breaks", lightly loosen paint with non-scratch scouring pad, microfiber, cotton rag or soft paper towel.  The quicker the process, the less likely there will be any paint loss from substrate.
7.  Wipe clean with dry rag or towel.
8.  Rinse with water or wipe with wet rag to remove any remaining graffiti residue. 

Zion National Park is one of Utah’s most-visited national parks.  It is magnificent in its natural beauty and is a source of pride for all Americans.

Despite this, a graffiti tagger has defaced a rock face with spray paint.  This has resulted in outrage and disgust.

National Park officials have had to remind visitors to this US National Park that graffiti tags (in this case a pair of triangles) is NOT art.  It is NOT artistic expression.  It is ONLY vandalism.

"As important as artistic expression is, we do not want to deface the natural resources of our beautiful public lands,” the post reads on the Zion National Park Website. “No matter how small or superficially drawn, graffiti in the park is vandalism. Humans have been leaving their marks on rock walls for thousands of years in this region. But these days, writing on the walls isn’t necessary, and in a national park, it’s illegal.”

The punishment for vandalism includes possible jail time and potentially thousands of dollars in fines.

What is the difference between street art and graffiti tagging?  Everything.  

How to Remove Graffiti Spray Paint from Stone, Limestone, Rock, and Boulders.​

3 Simple Steps to Remove Graffiti from Stone, Limestone, Rock and Boulders.
​
Step 1: Brush Clean City Pro GREEN Label Graffiti Remover onto graffiti tag.  In closed and sensitive environments such as Ape Cave, the best practice to to "paint" the graffiti remover onto the graffiti remover using a thick deck brush.  This focuses the graffiti remover precisely onto the graffiti tag and avoids spraying product which will result in small airborne droplets of graffiti remover solvent.

Note:  If water source is not available for pressure washer and rinsing, such as cleaning graffiti from National Park, Municipal Park or Forest Preserve,  following dwell time, scrub using stiff nylon or brass brush taking care not to scratch surface.  Remove as much product and paint pigment using dry absorbent rags or towels.  Spray with water from hand held trigger sprayer and dry using dry absorbent rags or towels 

After a rise in graffiti tagging and the blight associates with graffiti in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the Downtown Development Authority and the Cheyenne Police Department are partnering with a pressure washing company to remove graffiti throughout the city at no cost for residents and businesses.  There is a from that property owners can fill out to request the graffiti removal services.

"It is vandalism on the building and we are trying to beautify downtown and and make downtown better and a more friendly place, and stuff like this doesn't help the cause" says Cameron Karajanis General Manager of Provisions Wine & Spirits.

Special Projects Manager Esther Gonzales says "We have tourist, visitors, workers, and residents, that drive by here everyday, and the impression that we get is its not a very favorable neighborhood and that's what we are trying to defeat."

Graffiti taggers caught will be fined or face jail time for their misdemeanor or felony crimes.

Graffiti removal is not a one-time project.  Graffiti removal from a community is a long-term campaign.  Graffiti taggers must be deterred.  Fast and effective removal of graffiti discourages graffiti taggers.  The sooner the graffiti is removed, the less likely they are to graffiti tag that location. 

Large graffiti tags on brick, concrete or other porous surfaces require removal with a pressure washer and heavy duty Clean City Pro Blue Label Gel Graffiti Remover.  Alternatively, painting over large graffiti tags is an option for this type of graffiti.

​
Clean City Pro Blue Label Gel Graffiti Remover is a fast, effective and safe heavy duty graffiti remover for removing Spray Paint and Permanent Marker from porous surfaces including
Concrete, Brick, limestone, stone, Rock and other difficult surfaces 

Product Benefits:

• Gel Formulation is designed to cling to vertical surfaces and provide maximum dwell time
• High-Performance
• Highly-Effective
• Spray and Pressure Wash
• Safe  for User
• Safe for Pets
• Safe for Environment
• ​Scientifically-Formulated
• Non-Hazardous Shipping

ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES

• "Green" Graffiti Remover
• Super Low VOC
• Low Odor
• Non-Toxic
• Non-Hazardous Shipping
• Soy-Powered
• Bio-Based
• Readily Biodegradable
• Non-Corrosive
• Non-Flammable
• Non-Aerosol

After months of complaints about the blight from graffiti tags, in Dayton, Ohio, community residents in partnership with the Dayton Police Department organized a community Graffiti Removal Clean Up Action Day to remove graffiti blight from commercial corridors.  Volunteers armed with graffiti remover and pressure washers were able to clean dozens of graffiti tags including large spray paint graffiti tags from brick.  The $600 and six hours were spent removing graffiti.

Then, a couple of weeks later, the graffiti taggers returned and retagged many of the places where the graffiti had been recently removed. 

"It's very irritating. With the amount of time that we spent, and the fact that we came in on our own time to clean it up, it's huge. it's not something that we take lightly." Dayton Police Office Christine Hamilton said.

The Dayton Police Department is conducting an investigation to identify the graffiti tagger and bring him to justice.  Aggressive community policing and security cameras do help deter graffiti vandalism.  Additionally, when graffiti vandals are caught, significant fines and jail time help to deter other graffiti vandals in the community.

Graffiti removal is not a one-time project.  Graffiti removal from a community is a long-term campaign.  Graffiti taggers must be deterred.  Fast and effective removal of graffiti discourages graffiti taggers.  The sooner the graffiti is removed, the less likely they are to graffiti tag that location.  Graffiti is a battle of attrition to see who has greater stamina, the community or the graffiti tagger.  In locations where graffiti is common and long periods of time pass before tags are removed, additional effort needs to be spent to change expectations around the graffiti.  The fact is that if graffiti is not removed frequently or quickly, the graffiti taggers are winning.  After a single graffiti action clean up, they will expect that this was an isolated event and return to re-tag the recently cleaned surfaces.  If however, this is expected and the graffiti clean up is actually a campaign, then the new graffiti can be removed and the cycle will continue.  Eventually, the community will win.  The graffiti tagger takes a risk everytime he goes out tagging that he will be caught, so he will look for spots where his tags will stay up longer.  If the city reclaims an area as graffiti-free with aggressive and rapid graffiti removal, the tagger will move on to less actively maintained locations.  Often these secondary locations are behind buildings and much less visible from the street.  While the vigilance against graffiti tagging must remain, pushing the tagging from view from the main commercial streets into alleys and behind buildings does make an important positive impact on the amount of graffiti blight experienced by the community.

Graffiti Action Days are innovative volunteer graffiti removal events that empower the community to reclaim their neighborhood from the visual blight of graffiti.  They can make a significant and tangible impact on the appearance of a targeted commercial corridor, park or neighborhood plagued by graffiti.  
 
Graffiti Action Days are typically spearheaded by Municipalities, Neighborhood Organizations, Schools, Aldermanic Offices, Chambers of Commerce, or Block Clubs.  

Volunteers can quickly and safely remove hundreds of graffiti tags armed with the highly-innovative, highly-effective, highly-green Clean City Pro Green Label Graffiti Remover.  During the two-hour events, volunteers report personally cleaning an estimated 30 to 50 tags.

Clean City Pro Green Label Graffiti Remover is highly environmentally-friendly and  therefore very safe to work with. It is fast acting and can completely remove most tags within a couple minutes without impacting the underlying surface.   
   
Because Clean City Pro Green Label Graffiti Remover is safe enough to be used by non-professionals, a group of volunteers armed with spray bottles, sponges and buckets of water can effectively remove the majority of the graffiti in a commercial corridor on non-porous surfaces including signs, mailboxes,  newspaper boxes, meter boxes and lamp posts. 

Large graffiti tags on brick, concrete or other porous surfaces require removal with a pressure washer and heavy duty Clean City Pro Blue Label Gel Graffiti Remover.  Alternatively, painting over large graffiti tags is an option for this type of graffiti.

Often graffiti action volunteers will encounter street art while removing graffiti.  It is not necessary to remove street art.  Street art has been demonstrated to improve the urban environment, unlike graffiti tags which blight it.  So what is the difference between Street Art and Graffiti Tagging?  1. Street Art is constructive, Graffiti Tagging is destructive. 2. Street Art adorns the urban landscape, Graffiti Tagging scars it and accelerates urban decay. 3. Street Art is about the audience, Graffiti Tagging is about the tagger.
​
Fast and Easy Step-by-step guide for how to Remove Graffiti from Painted Metal Newspaper Box using Clean City Pro Green Label Graffiti Remover.

Step 1: Spray Clean City Pro Green Label Graffiti Remover onto graffiti tag

Step 2: Allow short dwell time of 20 to 100 seconds.  Sharpie or permanent marker will break within 15 seconds.  Paint marker will break within 30 to 60 seconds.  Grease pen will break within 2 minutes and agitation will assist the removal as the grease chunks break free.  Spray paint will break within 60 seconds to two minutes.

Step 3: Scrub lightly with scouring pad

Step 4: Rinse clean with water or wet rag.

New Trier High School, located in Chicago's suburbs, was hit with three instances of racist graffiti.  The racist  graffiti appeared in the bathrooms in two different school buildings.  The graffiti tagger in one building was identified.  The graffiti tagger in the second building is being sought.  Consequences for graffiti or harassment include detention or an all-day detention.

Graffiti in school bathrooms is common as the privacy allows for graffiti taggers to use permanent sharpie markers to graffiti tag bathroom partitions.  Additionally, identifying the tagger can be a challenge as cameras are not permitted in bathrooms. 

It is essential that graffiti tagging be removed as quickly as possible to discourage copy-cat graffiti and to discourage the graffiti tagger from additional graffiti tags.  A safe, effective, no-odor graffiti remover that is safe to use on plastic and metal should be readily available.

How to remove Graffiti from School Bathroom Partitions, School Bathroom Doors and School Bathroom Toilet Paper Dispensers.

Five Simple Steps to Remove Graffiti from School Bathroom Partitions, School Bathroom Doors, and School Bathroom Toilet Paper Dispensers.

Step 1: Spray Clean City Pro Red Label Graffiti Remover or Clean City Pro Green Label Graffiti Remover
Step 2: Allow short dwell time of 10 to 30 seconds
Step 3: Swirl gently with mild scouring pad
Step 4: Wipe surface clean with dry, absorbent rag.
Step 5: For the best results, rinse with water or wipe down with wet rag.
  
Notes:  When removing graffiti from a plastic substrate, always test first in an inconspicuous location.  Clean ​City Pro Red Label Graffiti Remover and Clean City Pro Green Label Graffiti Remover have been tested against many types of plastic Bathroom Partitions, Bathroom Doors, and Bathroom Toilet Paper Dispensers.  No fogging or etching damage has been documented, but due to the hundreds of different types of plastics used, testing is essential.

Louisville Kentucky Police arrested a suspected graffiti tagger after he posted images a graffiti on highway grade signs and highway billboards on his Instagram account.  After the arrest, the suspect admitted to graffiti tagging the a State Highway Sign and is suspected of graffiti tagging of a highway billboard along I-65 north. 

Graffiti is not a victimless crime.  Graffiti damage to the highway signage was estimated to cost $5,000.  The graffiti tagger is also suspected in tagging the brick wall of a restaurant with an estimated repair cost of $2,500.

Often graffiti taggers share images of their graffiti on social media.  Social media can be an effective tool to identify graffiti tagging suspects and also to help confirm responsibility during court proceedings.  Because of the tendency of graffiti taggers to share their tags, the quick removal of graffiti is essential to discouraging future graffiti attacks.

How to remove Graffiti from traffic signs5 Simple DIY Steps to Remove Graffiti from Traffic Signs.
Traffic Signs are very delicate so extra care needs to be taken to remove the graffiti tag without damaging the delicate signage.  Anti-Graffiti Films protect signage substrates and allow graffiti to be easily removed.

Step 1: Spray Clean City Pro Green Label Graffiti Remover or Clean City Pro Yellow Label Graffiti Remover.  
Step 2: Allow short dwell time of 10 to 30 seconds
Step 3: Swirl gently with soft rag or paper towel.
Step 4: Wipe surface clean with dry, absorbent rag.  
Step 5: For the best results, rinse with water or wipe down with wet rag.
Repeat as necessary.

Note: For traffic signage protected with a anti-graffiti coating such as 3M Anti-Graffiti Film or Avery Dennison Anti-Graffiti Film, Clean City Pro Red Label Graffiti Remover can be used without fear of damaging the underlying delicate substrate.

3 Simple Steps to Remove Graffiti from Brick.
​Step 1: Spray, pour or brush Clean City Pro Red Label Graffiti Remover or Clean City Pro Blue Label Gel Graffiti Remover onto graffiti tag.
Step 2: Allow a moderate dwell time of 5 to 15 minutes
Note:  A longer or shorter dwell time is possible depending on conditions.  If spray paint is highly saturated, the brick is highly porous or the temperature is cold, allow for a longer dwell time. 
​Step 3: Pressure wash using a wide, fan tip pressure washing nozzle such as 25 degree green tip.  Repeat if necessary.

Clean City Pro Blue Label Gel Graffiti Remover is a fast, effective and safe heavy duty graffiti remover for removing Spray Paint and Permanent Marker
from porous surfaces including Concrete, Brick, limestone, stone, Rock and other difficult surfaces.

Ugly racist graffiti was spray painted on the brick wall of a United States Post Office in the Bronx, New York.  The racist graffiti outraged the community. The post office is across the street from a neighborhood park and playground.    The graffiti tags were spray painted onto a red brick wall and onto a metal painted door.  The police are conducting a investigation.  There is hope that surveillance cameras will provide the information necessary to identify the graffiti vandal and bring him to justice.  Surveillance cameras provide a critical role in identifying graffiti vandals and evidence in criminal hearings.

Rapid graffiti removal is essential to deter future graffiti attacks.  Graffiti removal must be complete without leaving a graffiti shadow, or damaging the surface.

3 Simple Steps to Remove Graffiti from Brick.
​Step 1: Spray, pour or brush Clean City Pro Red Label Graffiti Remover or Clean City Pro Blue Label Gel Graffiti Remover onto graffiti tag.
Step 2: Allow a moderate dwell time of 5 to 15 minutes
Note:  A longer or shorter dwell time is possible depending on conditions.  If spray paint is highly saturated, the brick is highly porous or the temperature is cold, allow for a longer dwell time. 
​Step 3: Pressure wash using a wide, fan tip pressure washing nozzle such as 25 degree green tip.  Repeat if necessary.

Clean City Pro Blue Label Gel Graffiti Remover is a fast, effective and safe heavy duty graffiti remover for removing Spray Paint and Permanent Marker
from porous surfaces including Concrete, Brick, limestone, stone, Rock and other difficult surfaces.

5 Simple Steps to Remove Graffiti from Painted Metal Door.
5 Simple Steps to Remove Graffiti from Painted metal Door.
Five Simple Steps to Remove Graffiti from a Painted Metal Surfaces such as a metal door.
Step 1: Spray Clean City Pro Red Label Graffiti Remover or Clean City Pro Green Label Graffiti Remover.
Step 2: Allow short dwell time of 10 to 30 seconds
Step 3: Swirl gently with mild scouring pad
Step 4: Wipe surface clean with dry, absorbent rag.
Step 5: For the best results, rinse with water or wipe down with wet rag.

Notes:  When removing graffiti from a heavily painted surface, less delicate removal is required, as the substrate is painted with multiple layers of the same color.  Additionally, with elements such as the traffic pole below, perfection is less important than speedy and complete graffiti removal. 

For more information, check out our Best Practices in Graffiti Removal page, our Graffiti Removal Selection page or our Tips and Techniques for Graffiti Removal page.

A 21 year old University of Delaware student was arrested for 82 charges related to graffiti crimes.  The charges include 38 counts of graffiti and 37 counts of graffiti implements.  His graffiti tagging spree has lasted approximately 6 months on campus and in Newark.  Graffiti tags were spray painted onto brick buildings, plastic garbage dumpsters and plastic porta-potties.

The suspect was brought to justice after a police investigation that includes surveillance camera footage, information provided by witnesses, and police vigilance.  Active policing and enforcement directly results in decreased instances of graffiti.  Also, widespread publicity around the arrest of a well-known and prolific graffiti tagger can have a chilling deterrent effect on other graffiti taggers in the community.
  
The cost of graffiti to communities is significant.  The appearance of blight drives down commerce and drives up the cost of graffiti removal.  Cities are forced to reallocate dollars for improvements to graffiti abatement.

It is an essential graffiti removal best practice that graffiti be removed as quickly as possible after a graffiti attack.  

​Step-by-step instructions for removing Graffiti from Rough Surfaces
​STEP-BY-STEP APPLICATION BEST PRACTICES for Removing Graffiti from Concrete, Brick using Clean City Pro Heavy Duty Blue Label Gel Graffiti Remover.
1.  City Pro Heavy Duty Blue Label Gel Graffiti Remover is for use on non-sensitive surfaces such as brick concrete, stone and other difficult surfaces.  If using on sensitive surfaces, always test in inconspicuous area before use.
2.  Use chemical resistant gloves & goggles.
3.  Spray or brush graffiti remover onto affected area.  (Ready-to-use. No dilution necessary)
4.  Control drips using nylon or wire brush 
5.  Allow dwell time from 10 to 20 minutes (longer in cold temps)
6.  Warmer temperatures, hot water, and agitation with wire brush increase effectiveness 
7.  Rinse with pressure washer using even, slow passes.  Use 15° fan tip or wider.
8.  Repeat if necessary.

​Step-by-step instructions for removing Graffiti from Plastic garbage Toters.
Five Simple Steps to Remove Graffiti from Plastic Garbage Toters.
Step 1: Spray Clean City Pro Red Label Graffiti Remover or Clean City Pro Green Label Graffiti Remover
Step 2: Allow short dwell time of 10 to 30 seconds
Step 3: Swirl gently with mild scouring pad
Step 4: Wipe surface clean with dry, absorbent rag.
Step 5: For the best results, rinse with water or wipe down with wet rag.

Step-bystep instructions for how to remove Graffiti from Bathrooms and Portable Toilets.
Five Simple Steps to Remove Graffiti from Bathrooms and Portable Toilets
Step 1: Spray Clean City Pro Red Label Graffiti Remover or Clean City Pro Green Label Graffiti Remover
Step 2: Allow short dwell time of 10 to 30 seconds
Step 3: Swirl gently with mild scouring pad
Step 4: Wipe surface clean with dry, absorbent rag.
Step 5: For the best results, rinse with water or wipe down with wet rag.

For more information, check out our Best Practices in Graffiti Removal page, our Graffiti Removal Selection page or our Tips and Techniques for Graffiti Removal page.