Even when it is done to express an art form, graffiti is still a crime because it defaces a property that doesn’t belong to the artist. Often times, graffiti and street art are considered to be the same thing. However, in reality, these two are significantly different. While street-art can be a planned and permitted activity, graffiti is often referred to as a form of vandalism that can make an entire city appear unsafe and neglected. Moreover, cleaning graffiti is an expensive liability that costs billions of dollars to many cities around the world.
In addition to its financial implications, graffiti removal also takes up our precious resources as well as time. Graffiti may also contain hateful or discriminatory messages that may hurt a specific individual or group. This graffiti can make a city less attractive to visitors, investors, and businesses. Also, the sense of security in a locality can be lowered significantly by such petty crimes and property damage.
What is Anti-graffiti Coating?
One of the most preferred ways to keep graffities off our buildings is to use anti-graffiti coatings. These specially manufactured coatings can prevent all forms of graffiti from sticking to any substrate.
Any anti-graffiti coating must be able to resist permanent marker and spray paint graffiti as these items are frequently used for graffiti vandalism. Ideally, the anti-graffiti coating of your choice should ensure 100% removal of graffiti without leaving behind stains, shadows, and ghosting. If the coating is not able to perform its function, you may have to use heavy chemical graffiti removers that are often harmful to the environment as well as buildings.
Types of Anti-graffiti Coatings:
Anti-graffiti coatings are available in three major variants.
- Sacrificial Anti-Graffiti Coatings: These coatings are usually polymer or wax based, and require reapplication after the removal of the graffiti. Once applied, they offer matt finishes and remain completely invisible. These single use coatings can be applied easily using a roller, brush, or spray equipment. Sacrificial systems can be cleaned best by a hot water pressure wash. These systems are not suitable for areas where graffiti vandalism takes place frequently.
- Permanent Anti-Graffiti Paints: Available in matt as well as gloss finishes, these paints provide graffiti protection for at least ten years. They usually contain silicone, and can repel all types of graffiti media. Depending on the manufacturer, these paints may last for ten to fifty cleaning operations before reapplication is required. Suitable for concrete, painted surface, stone, and brick surfaces, these anti-graffiti paints are used extensively for long-term graffiti protection.
- Fluoropolymer based Anti-Graffiti Coatings: The anti-graffiti finish of these coatings can last for well over twenty years and provide an almost unlimited number of cleanings throughout its lifespan. These coatings protect substrates by creating a low surface energy shield over them. Removal agents that are mild and safe to use are applied for fast and repeated removal. A&I fluoropolymer based Anti-Graffiti Coatings are approved for Government use as APAS (Australian Paint Approval Scheme) and are extensively used for subways and trains, railway bridges, highway noise walls, painted murals, and many other applications.
If you still have any doubts about anti-graffiti coatings, please visit the experts at A&I Coatings. We are one of Australia’s most recommended manufacturers of top quality niche coatings, and distribute these products Australia wide through Haymes Paint, Dulux and others, as well as exporting to several countries.
