How to Remove Graffiti From Brick: Easy DIY Methods

G’day! I’m Joaquin Trapero, the owner of GraffitiGoneNow here in Melbourne. After over five years of removing graffiti around town, I know how frustrating it is to find tags scrawled across your brick walls. If you’re wondering how to remove graffiti from brick without damaging your wall, you’ve come to the right bloke. I’m happy to share what I’ve learned on the job so you can tackle it with confidence.

Removing graffiti from brick is something of an art form, and it helps to know what kind of brick you’re dealing with. For example, a painted brick wall needs a different approach than an exposed brick one. Over the years I’ve experimented with everything from gentle scrubbing to high-pressure cleaning. In this guide, I’ll walk you through a few tried-and-true DIY methods to clean graffiti off brick – including when to break out the pressure washer and when to stick to good old elbow grease.

This article is meant to be an easy DIY guide anyone can follow. I’ll cover the best techniques to get spray paint off your brickwork and share some insider tips from my own graffiti removal adventures. By the end, you’ll be ready to restore your brick surface to its former glory. Ready to give it a go? Let’s get started!

Related DIY guide: How to remove graffiti from glass.

Brick Types: How They Affect Graffiti Removal

At GraffitiGoneNow, we have years of experience removing graffiti from all types of surfaces in Melbourne. One of the most challenging materials to work with is brick because its porous nature absorbs paint deeply, making the cleaning process require the right techniques and products. However, not all bricks are the same. When it comes to graffiti removal, we typically encounter two main types: painted brick and unpainted (exposed) brick. Each requires a different approach to achieve the best results.

How to Remove Graffiti from Painted Brick

If graffiti is on a painted brick wall, the issue is not just removing the spray paint but also preserving or restoring the base paint of the brick. In this case, the only effective solution is to sand the affected surface thoroughly until the graffiti paint is completely level with the original brick paint and then repaint the area.

Steps to Restore a Painted Brick Surface:

1 Scrape Off the Graffiti Paint Use coarse sandpaper or a scraper to remove the paint in the affected area until the surface is as smooth as possible.

2 Obtain a Paint Sample: Once the brick surface is completely even with the graffiti spray paint, it’s time to obtain a color sample of the brick’s original paint. To do this, carefully scrape the brick’s paint until you have a sample about the size of a coin in your hand. Make sure the sample does not contain any graffiti paint to ensure an accurate color match.

3 Visit Bunnings Warehouse: Take the paint sample to your nearest Bunnings store. They can help you find an exterior paint that is compatible with brick and matches the original color.

4 Repaint the Surface: Once you have the correct paint, apply it evenly over the sanded area using a roller or a brush to ensure a seamless finish. For some bricks, you may need to apply two coats of paint to achieve full coverage and a uniform appearance.

⚠️ Warning: Avoid spraying painted brick with chemicals or graffiti remover, as these products can strip or damage the original brick paint. Using harsh removers on painted surfaces may cause uneven discolouration or peeling, making restoration even more difficult. Always use the sanding method for graffiti removal on painted brick to preserve the integrity of the original paint.

If this process seems too time-consuming or if you want to ensure a perfect result, contact us at GraffitiGoneNow. Our team of professional graffiti removers can handle the entire process for you, guaranteeing a flawless and long-lasting finish.

How to Remove Graffiti from Exposed Brick

Unpainted brick presents an even greater challenge, as its porous surface absorbs paint deeply. The key to removing graffiti from this type of brick is using the right chemical products and the correct water pressure. Depending on the severity of the graffiti and how long it has been on the surface, there are two main methods to consider: the manual method (without a pressure washer) and the pressure washer method.

Below, I explain both methods in detail so you can choose the one that best suits your situation:

Method 1: Removing Graffiti from Brick Without a Pressure Washer

It remains possible to eliminate graffiti from brick surfaces without a pressure washer, using suitable equipment and proper cleaning methods.

Materials Needed:

• Protection during work requires proper protective equipment such as gloves together with safety glasses and mask.
• Graffiti remover
• A bucket of water
• A cleaning rag or cloth
• A metal-bristle brush

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Wear Protective Gear: Graffiti removal chemicals pose threats to both your eyes and skin, so you need to wear gloves and safety goggles, together with a mask, before beginning your work. The chemicals tend to irritate skin on contact, while breathing in their fumes might present a risk to your respiratory health.
2. Get a Graffiti Remover: Over the years, we’ve tested various products and recommend visiting Bunnings Warehouse for a wide selection of high-quality graffiti removers. You can follow our guide to choose from the available graffiti removal products at Bunnings if you require assistance in your decision.
3. Apply the Graffiti Remover: Apply the remover through pouring or spraying it onto the stained surface before waiting for 3–5 minutes. The process of the chemical breaking into the paint layer becomes simpler through this penetration time.
4. Scrub the Surface: You should use a metal-bristle brush with water to clean the graffiti marks. Brush the paint off in small sections by maintaining strong pressure on the affected surfaces.
5. Wipe and Rinse: Use a cloth and clean water to help remove the paint residue, remember that if the graffiti does not disappear completely, it is important to repeat the process several times until a flawless result is achieved.

Method 2: Removing Graffiti from Brick Using a Pressure Washer

In most cases, a pressure washer is necessary to fully remove graffiti from brick, especially when the paint has been sitting for a long time. The combination of high-pressure water and hot temperature can break down the paint much faster than manual scrubbing.

Recommended Equipment:

• Pressure washer (minimum 3000 PSI and 14 L/min flow rate)
• Or hot water pressure washer (recommended for better results)
• Graffiti remover
• Protection during work requires proper protective equipment such as gloves together with safety glasses and mask.
• Water source

If you don’t own a pressure washer, we recommend renting one from 
Kennards Hire, as they have locations all across Australia.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Wear Protective Gear: Safety precautions should include gloves along with a mask and safety glasses.
2. Apply Graffiti Remover: Apply the remover onto the graffiti surface then wait for 3–5 minutes to let the paint breaking solution work.
3. Use the Pressure Washer: Begin the pressure washer operation while setting the pressure to medium. Angle the spray nozzle at 45 degrees during cleaning to use powerful cleaning while protecting the brick surface.
4. Work in Sections: Apply the nozzle for a smooth and continuous motion across brief segments of the graffiti surface. Constant pressure along with brief contact times at each spot will stop the brick surface from wearing down.
5. Rinse the Surface: Clean water is needed to remove paint particles that begin to lift from the surface. The cleaning process should be repeated until all stains are removed from the surface of the brick.

Struggling to Remove Graffiti on Brick? We’ve Got You Covered!

In short, removing graffiti from brick comes down to matching the method to your brick type. Painted brick usually needs sanding and a fresh coat of paint, while bare brick calls for graffiti remover and some high-pressure water. Either way, a bit of patience and elbow grease goes a long way. With the right approach from this guide, cleaning graffiti off brick is absolutely doable as a DIY job.

I remember one of my toughest brick graffiti jobs back in 2021. A big red tag on an old brick wall in Clifton Hill took me over five hours and three rounds of graffiti remover — plus a blast with the pressure washer — to finally get it off. That experience taught me how stubborn graffiti on porous brick can be, even for a pro like me, but it also proved that with enough persistence and the right gear, no graffiti stands a chance.

So if you’ve tried everything and still can’t get rid of those pesky spray paint marks — or if you’d rather not spend your weekend scrubbing — give me and the team at GraffitiGoneNow a shout. We specialise in professional graffiti removal services across Melbourne and can even apply anti-graffiti coatings to protect your brickwork from future vandals. Don’t hesitate to contact GraffitiGoneNow – I’m only a phone call away and happy to help!