DIY: How to Remove Graffiti From Brick – A Step By Step Guide
As a business owner living in Melbourne, I know how frustrating it is to deal with vandals and teenagers painting graffiti on building facades every day. That’s why I’ve created this easy-to-read guide to teach you how to remove graffiti from brick in just a few simple steps.
Whether you’re dealing with painted brick or exposed brick at GraffitiGoneNow we are professional brick cleaners and today I’ll walk you through the cleaning best methods, including what to do if you need to use a pressure washer. Let’s get started!
Types of Brick and 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- Wear Protective Gear: Safety precautions should include gloves along with a mask and safety glasses.
- Apply Graffiti Remover: Apply the remover onto the graffiti surface then wait for 3–5 minutes to let the paint breaking solution work.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
My First Brick Graffiti Removal Experience
I still remember the first time I had to remove graffiti from brick, back in 2021. I spent over five hours working for Clifton Hill Town Council cleaning the wall. It took three separate applications of graffiti removal product and a pressure wash to remove the graffiti from the rough, porous brick surface. The experience helped me understand how difficult it is to remove graffiti on brick, and why professional equipment along with the right techniques can produce substantial results.
The following guide offers you DIY methods for removing graffiti from brick walls involving hand tools only, and pressure washing technology for faster results. Do you want to learn how to remove graffiti from brick? Keep reading!
Struggling with Graffiti on Brick? We’ve Got You Covered!
You can achieve the best possible results in brick graffiti removal using this step-by-step approach, although the process requires both time, effort and skill.
Our professional team at GraffitiGoneNow offers assistance for both old and fresh graffiti, in any situation where you need a flawless result. We offer you our time, effort and skill plus our experience, to save your time and effort!
In addition to professional graffiti removal services we offer anti-graffiti coatings that shield walls from further attempts at vandalism.
For expert brick graffiti removal and protective coatings, reach out to GraffitiGoneNow today.