Dozens of volunteers spent their Memorial Day weekend honoring fallen service members by removing graffiti from approximately 200 headstones in the Sunset Hill Memorial Estates Cemetery in Glen Carbon Illinois near St. Louis.  More than 1,400 graves of United States Veterans are located at the cemetery and an annual flag-raising ceremony is held every year to honor their service and their memories.  The graffiti attack included swastikas painted with black spray paint onto the stone headstones, mausoleum, and statues.  The removal was a true community effort with dozens of volunteers and local restaurants donating food and drink to support the community graffiti removal action. 

The graffiti vandal was identified and arrested based on surveillance camera footage which showed the vandal walking through the cemetery the night of the graffiti attack.  This is another example where security cameras help to deter graffiti attacks and security camera footage leads to the arrest of the graffiti vandal.  In addition to crimes related to vandalism, the swastikas spray painted onto U.S. service members headstones on Memorial Day Weekend will likely be charged as a hate crime.

According to Glen Carbon Police Lt. Wayne White,  “The fact that he did this on Memorial Day weekend is inexcusable and disgusting behavior that we’re not going to tolerate.”

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: 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 3 to 20 minutes
Note:  A longer or shorter dwell time is possible depending on conditions.  If spray paint is highly saturated, the limestone 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.

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.

Additionally, if no pressure washer is available, a pressurized 1-gallon pump sprayer (insecticide style sprayer) can be used to generate some limited pressure and rinsing action on the stone surface.

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

Step-By-Step Instructions for Removing Graffiti from Rough Surfaces Like Headstones

STEP-BY-STEP APPLICATION BEST PRACTICES for Removing Graffiti from Concrete, Brick or Stone 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 and 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 5 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.

The ​Village of Odell Illinois, located along historic Route 66 has been struck by multiple graffiti attacks.  The vandalism has cause frustration and anger within the community and a community leader has offered a $300 cash reward for information that leads to the arrest of the vandals.  

According to local police, graffiti is typically charged as criminal defacement of property.  For incidents that don't exceed $500 in damages, this is considered a Class A misdemeanor.  Multiple instances of criminal defacement can increase the charge to a Class 4 felony. 

In smaller communities, cash rewards can help to lead to the identification and arrest of the graffiti taggers.  Additionally, the potential for fines and criminal proceedings can help to deter future graffiti attacks.

Speedy removal of graffiti tags is essential in reducing the frequency of graffiti attack. The sooner the graffiti tag is removed, the less likely the graffiti taggers is to repeat the attack at that location.  

For graffiti tag removal from metal siding, Clean City Pro Green Label Graffiti Remover is ideal.  Clean City Pro Green Label Graffiti Remover is a medium strength graffiti remover designed for painted surfaces like metal siding, painted fences and doors, plastics, and other 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 & 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
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. 

​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.