Graffiti Removal Success Story: Otto Wurth Building, Preston
G’day, I’m Joaquin Trapero, the owner of GraffitiGoneNow here in Melbourne. I want to share a recent project we tackled at the historic Otto Wurth building in Preston – a job that really shows how quickly graffiti can get out of hand and how satisfying it is to clean it up. After five years in the graffiti removal game, I’ve seen plenty of spray paint and tags across Melbourne. But this project was special to me because it combined a bit of history, a big challenge, and a wonderful community response. In this post, I’ll walk you through the whole process from the initial small scribbles to the final protective coating, just as if you were there with us.
Over a couple of days, my team and I transformed a graffiti-covered brick wall back to its former glory. I’ll explain how the graffiti started small but grew when no one acted, how we cleaned every inch of the brickwork, and even share some heartwarming reactions from locals who watched the transformation. By the end, you’ll see why prompt action is key and how a clean wall can lift up an entire street. Let’s dive into the story of how we helped make Preston a little brighter!
The Initial Problem
It all began with a small graffiti tag on the side of the Otto Wurth building. At first, it was just one or two scrawls – nothing too dramatic. The building’s Owners Corporation, however, decided not to act immediately. Maybe they thought it was minor or hoped it would fade away, but as often happens, ignoring graffiti only invites more. Within weeks, that quiet corner of the wall turned into a sprawling canvas of graffiti. New tags and spray paint art appeared bit by bit, escalating due to inaction. What could have been a quick wipe-down early on became a much bigger eyesore as time went by.
As a graffiti remover, I’ve seen this pattern countless times: one tag left alone sends a message that the property isn’t being watched, effectively rolling out a welcome mat for other vandals. That’s exactly what happened here. By the time the Owners Corporation called GraffitiGoneNow, the entire brick wall was covered in multicolored spray paint, layered from the sidewalk up to the windows. What started small had grown into a major problem that was hurting the building’s appearance and the neighbourhood’s vibe. It was clear we had a big job ahead to restore this wall and send a message that enough was enough.
The Cleaning Process
When we arrived, we were faced with a large brick wall absolutely plastered in graffiti. As tough as brick is, it’s also porous, which means spray paint soaks in and clings to the surface. We knew we needed a special approach to get this wall clean without harming the brick. Here’s how we tackled it step by step:
Choosing the Right Remover: First, we applied a professional-grade graffiti removal product designed specifically for porous surfaces like brick. This isn’t your average hardware-store cleaner; it’s a heavy-duty, biodegradable solution that breaks down spray paint without damaging the brick or mortar. We generously coated all the painted areas with this remover, making sure to work it into the nooks and crannies of the brickwork.
Dwell Time: Patience is key in graffiti removal. After applying the solution, we let the chemicals sit for about 10 minutes. This dwell time gave the remover a chance to penetrate and loosen the multiple layers of paint. On some especially thick spots, we even gave it a little longer and agitated the area with a stiff brush to help the process along. You could actually see the graffiti starting to bleed and drip as the product did its job, which is a satisfying sight for a graffiti remover like me!
Hot Water Pressure Washing: Once the graffiti remover had time to work, we brought out our hot water pressure washer. Using hot water (heated to a high temperature) combined with strong pressure, we carefully blasted away the dissolved paint. The hot water is fantastic for this kind of job – it helps break up paint particles and rinse them off thoroughly. We worked in sections, washing off the remover and the graffiti with long, even strokes. Clouds of steam rose as the hot water hit the wall, and with each pass, more of the original red-brick color emerged from under the paint. It was like watching the wall come back to life. Throughout this process, we had to be thorough: some areas needed a second application of remover and another round of pressure washing (especially where the paint had been baked on by the sun over time). Little by little, the graffiti disappeared, running down with the water onto the ground (which we contained and cleaned up responsibly).
Detail Work Around Features: Brick walls aren’t usually flat expanses – and the Otto Wurth building’s wall has windows, metal pipes, and a big sign attached to it. These features needed extra care. We switched to a gentler touch around the edges: instead of blasting the pressure washer right up to a window frame or the sign, we turned down the pressure a notch and adjusted the angle. In some tight spots behind pipes and around window sills, we used good old-fashioned hand scrubbing with a smaller brush to make sure we got every speck of paint without cracking glass or denting metal. We also temporarily covered the windows and the sign with plastic sheeting while spraying near them, just to ensure no chemical or flying paint chips made contact. This detail work is time-consuming, but it’s absolutely worth it. By the end, every corner of the wall — from the broad brick surface to the tricky bits around the plumbing and signage — was clean. The brick looked a bit damp and raw after the washing, but completely graffiti-free. As you in the pictures, we are Melbourne best on brick cleaning and washing.
Time Required
Many people ask how long a job like this takes. I’ll be honest: graffiti removal isn’t a rush job, especially on porous brick and with so much coverage. We started early in the morning and by the time we packed up our gear on the first day, about 12 hours had passed. That was a long day’s work for our team, but in those 12 hours we managed to remove every last bit of graffiti from the Otto Wurth building’s walls. It was a full-on effort — applying chemicals, waiting, washing, reapplying for the stubborn spots, and doing detailed cleanup. We were determined to get it all done in one day of cleaning so the building wouldn’t have to sit half-cleaned overnight. If reading this 12 hours job, you are wondering how much does graffiti removals cost, read our article.
However, the job wasn’t finished yet. Day Two was all about protection. We returned the next morning to a perfectly clean brick wall (which is a wonderful sight to wake up to, by the way!). With the surface dry and clean, we applied an anti-graffiti coating across the entire expanse of the brick. This clear coating is a special protective layer that doesn’t change the look of the brick but will make any future graffiti much easier to wash off. Think of it like waxing a car – it doesn’t stop the mud from hitting your car, but it sure makes it easier to hose the mud away. Applying this coating took a few hours of careful work, using rollers and sprayers to get an even layer on all the bricks. We made sure to cover every inch, right up to those windows, pipes, and the sign (being careful not to get it on the glass or fixtures). By midday on the second day, the anti-graffiti coating was on and drying. In total, this project spanned two days: one very long day of cleaning, and a second day for applying finishing touches to protect the property for the future.
Community Response
One of the most rewarding parts of this project was the reaction from the local community. As we worked, we couldn’t help but notice people passing by on High Street slowing down to watch, often with smiles or thumbs-up. A local shop owner from across the road came over during his lunch break just to say thank you and tell us, “I walk past this building every day, and it’s fantastic to finally see that graffiti gone.” That was just the boost we needed during a tough job.
Residents living nearby were also enthusiastic. An older gentleman from the neighbourhood stopped to chat and shared how the graffiti had been bothering the community for a while. He joked that the building was starting to look like a “before” picture and he was thrilled it was finally getting the “after” treatment. Another passerby, a lady walking her dog, actually did a double-take when she saw the clean wall on the second day. She told us she almost didn’t recognise the building because it looked so clean and fresh. The dog seemed to approve too, sniffing around our equipment curiously!
Even members of the Owners Corporation who happened to be on-site were amazed by the transformation. They admitted they wished they had called us in sooner, seeing how great the brickwork looked once we finished. We heard words like “unbelievable” and “like new” thrown around. It wasn’t just about the aesthetics, either – people said the whole street felt different (in a good way) once the graffiti was gone. These kind comments and smiles from the community really reminded us why we do what we do. Removing graffiti isn’t just about cleaning a wall; it’s about restoring pride in a place. By the end of the project, it felt like the whole neighbourhood was celebrating alongside us, enjoying the refreshed look of a building many locals care about.
GraffitiGoneNow is Here to Help
This project at the Otto Wurth building is a perfect reminder that when it comes to graffiti, acting quickly and decisively makes all the difference. A small tag left alone can turn into a big headache, but a swift response can save a lot of time and keep your property looking its best. As the owner of GraffitiGoneNow, I’m passionate about helping Melbourne communities stay graffiti-free and beautiful. My team and I were thrilled to restore this Preston landmark, and we’re ready to do the same for any property struggling with unwanted graffiti.
If you’re a property owner or part of an owners corporation dealing with graffiti – whether it’s a tiny tag or a full-blown mural you never asked for – don’t wait for it to get worse. Reach out to GraffitiGoneNow and let us take care of it for you. We have the expertise, the right tools, and the community spirit to handle jobs of any size, from a quick clean-up to a comprehensive restoration like the one we’ve described here. We’ll not only remove the graffiti but can also apply protective coatings to guard against future attacks, just like we did for Otto Wurth. We are Melbourne’s trusted graffiti removal specialists.
Contact GraffitiGoneNow today for fast, friendly, and professional graffiti removal service. I’m always happy to chat and give advice, and we offer free quotes so you know exactly what to expect. Together, let’s keep our Melbourne streets clean, safe, and welcoming. Give me (Joaquin) and my team a call or send us a message – we’ll help make graffiti a thing of the past on your property. Your property’s next success story could be just a phone call away!