Tools for Graffiti Removal from Brick, Concrete and other Porous Surfaces

1. Graffiti Remover Solvent: heavy duty for brick and concrete (soy-based, pH Neutral, non-aerosol.  Clean City Pro Red Label Graffiti Remover and Clean City Pro Blue Label Gel Graffiti Remover are the best choice for brick and concrete) 
   
2. Brush: Brass wire brush or stiff nylon grout brush (the harder the bristle, the more "bite" but the greater the risk of scratching the substrate)
   
3. Scouring Pad: (Scouring pads mounted on a handle work best)
   
4. Gloves: Chemical resistant (thicker gloves will prevent tears and allow for repeated use)
   
5. Safety Goggles: Non-vented  (protects the eyes, especially important scrubbing a surface or pressure washing)
   
6. Pressure washer, garden hose or bucket of water to rinse. 
7. If using a pressure washer, always use a face shield and 15 or 25 degree green or white nozzle.  NEVER use a red zero degree nozzle as this will likely cause irreversible damage to the brick or concrete surface.
   

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.

Multiple graffiti tags were reported in Racine, Wisconsin on playground equipment in a children's playground.   The graffiti tags included racial slurs and were spray painted on metal benches, on plastic slides, on concrete walls, on metal plaques and on two murals.

To remove graffiti tags from playground equipment, Clean City Pro Green Label Graffiti Remover is recommended.  Green label can also be used for metal benches and metal plaques.  This medium strength graffiti remover is designed to remove spray paint but is more gentle on substrates.  A nylon brush is also recommended to remove paint pigment from the fake grain.  Please click here for more detailed instructions for how to remove graffiti from a garage door.

To remover graffiti from a brick wall, Clean City Pro Blue Label Gel Heavy Duty Graffiti Remover is recommended.  Apply graffiti remover to brick surface making sure to cover all parts of the graffiti tag.  Allow for a dwell time of between 5 and 30 minutes depending on saturation of the graffiti spray paint, porousness of the brick, and ambient temperature.  Scrub using wire or nylon brush to get paint chunks moving and to allow graffiti remover to come into contact with deep in the pores of the brick and mortar.  Pressure wash to remove all graffiti and product.  Use fan tip to avoid damaging brick and mortar.  Repeat if necessary to remove any residual graffiti shadow.  Please click here for more detailed instructions for how to remove graffiti from a brick wall.