Graffiti prevention and removal
A guide for small businesses
Brisbane City Council delivers a comprehensive program to combat graffiti, working closely with the police,
community organisations, businesses and residents. Graffiti is vandalism and it impacts on our community
both socially and financially.
Graffiti can make your business and the surrounding area
Graffiti can make your business and the surrounding area appear unsightly and unwelcoming so it is
important to send a strong message to vandals that their graffiti will not be tolerated.
Small businesses play an important role in graffiti management and to help, Council provides free graffiti
management advice and assistance so that businesses can remove graffiti quickly.
This guide provides prevention strategies, techniques for removing graffiti and reporting information.
By working as a team to clean-up and prevent graffiti, we can strive toward our vision to keep
Brisbane clean and green now and into the future.
To
find
out
more
about
Council’s
commitment
to
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/graffiti or call Council on (07) 3403 8888.
a
graffiti-free
Brisbane,
visit
The Graffiti Small Business Assist program is a joint initiative of Brisbane City Council and the Queensland
Government.
Graffiti prevention tips
While graffiti can be a common problem for small businesses, there are ways to help prevent graffiti from
occurring on your property.
Make your property visible



Try to make the view to your property as clear as possible. If vandals can hide behind something
while vandalising, they will.
Ensure external lighting is working in public areas.
Consider surveillance cameras to watch over high-risk areas.
Control access to your property



Remove items that may be used to gain access to higher areas, for example bins that may be used
to get onto awnings or roof tops.
Incorporate plants to restrict access to walls, fences and other surfaces.
Install fixtures such as fencing to restrict access to graffiti-prone areas.
Create clear boundaries



Make sure it’s clear who owns the property as this makes intruders more easily identified.
Consider using fences, landscaping, signs, lighting or changes in surfaces to define public, semi
public and private spaces.
Maintain your premises and grounds so that it communicates you are operating a business in the
space.
Remove existing graffiti quickly
•
Removing graffiti quickly reduces the prestige of graffiti vandals and helps to prevent further
occurrences. It is also important to remove graffiti as soon as possible, as the longer it remains the
more difficult it is to remove.
Graffiti removal quick reference guide for small business
To help remove graffiti from your property, Brisbane City Council has developed a quick reference guide
with the best removal methods for different surfaces. To find out more about Council’s commitment to a
graffiti-free Brisbane, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/graffiti or call (07) 3403 8888.
SURFACE
STEP1
Painted Brick
Paint over
Unpainted Brick
Apply
graffiti
remover
Colourbond
fence
Paint over
Unpainted
wooden fence
Or
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
Apply graffiti
remover in
small
amounts
Rub with a
soft cloth or
brush
Wash off
When dry
repeat
steps 2 – 4
until
removed
When dry
repeat
steps 1-4
until
removed
When dry
repeat
steps 2 – 4
until
removed
When dry
repeat
steps 2 – 4
until
removed
When dry
repeat
steps 2 – 4
until
removed
Wait the
Rub with a
product
stiff brush
recommended
time
Wash off or
water blast
Or
Apply graffiti
remover in
small
amounts
Rub with a
soft brush
Wash off
straight
away
Use
sander,
sand paper
or scraper
Or
Apply graffiti
remover
Rub with a
stiff brush
Wash off or
water blast
Painted wooden
fence
Paint over
Or
Apply graffiti
remover
Rub with a
soft brush
Wash off
straight
away
Plastic rubbish
bins
Apply
graffiti
remover
Rub with a
stiff brush
Wash off
Steel and
aluminium
Apply
graffiti
remover
Rub with a
stiff brush
Wash off
Glass
Use blade
scraper for
aerosol
paint
Apply graffiti
remover
Rub with a
soft cloth or
brush
When dry
repeat
steps 1-3
until
removed
When dry
repeat
steps 1-3
until
removed
Wash off
Pathways or
driveways
Apply
graffiti
remover
Wait the
Rub with a
product
stiff brush
recommended
time
Wash off or
water blast
Tiles
Apply
graffiti
remover
Rub with a
stiff brush or
non-scratch
scourer
Wash off
Signs
Apply
graffiti
remover in
small
amounts
Paint over
Rub with a
soft brush
Wash off
straight
away
Apply graffiti
remover in
Rub with a
stiff brush
When dry
repeat
steps 1-3
until
removed
When dry
repeat
steps 1-3
until
removed
Wash off
straight
Vinyl siding
Or
Or
When dry
repeat
steps 2 – 4
until
removed
When dry
repeat
steps 1-4
until
removed
When dry
repeat
small
amounts
away
steps 2 – 4
until
removed
Graffiti removal from glass
Removal options
•
•
Use graffiti wipes or apply graffiti remover to a cloth and use a circular motion to remove
aerosol paint and marker pen.
Use a blade scraper to remove aerosol paint.
Maintenance
•
Apply an anti-graffiti laminate to reduce damage created by etching.
Considerations
•
•
Always test a small area to see if ghosting or shadowing appears after the graffiti has
been removed using a chemical remover. You may need to get advice from the product
manufacturer on how to reduce ghosting.
Be aware that some products may be abrasive and can scratch the glass. Always test a
small area first.
Graffiti removal from timber
Removal options
•
•
•
Paint over the graffiti.
Use a powered sander, sand paper or a sanding block to remove the graffiti.
Use a chemical remover and high pressure wash.
Maintenance
•
•
Keep paint on hand to paint over further graffiti.
Consider using plants to create a barrier between the graffiti vandal and the canvas.
Considerations
•
•
•
When painting over graffiti on a fence, ensure you paint from the top of the paling to the
bottom and not just over the tagging to leave a better finish.
If using high pressure be aware of what is on the other side of the fence.
Because wood is porous it may take several attempts to remove the graffiti.
Graffiti removal from signage
Removal options
•
•
Use a chemical-based graffiti remover to remove aerosol paint and marker pen.
Try buffing or polishing buff with a cutting compound similar to car polish.
Maintenance
•
Apply an anti-graffiti laminate or protective coating to new signs to make graffiti removal
easier.
Considerations
•
Some signs might get damaged by chemical remover so be careful when using this
method.
•
•
•
Reflectorised signs may get damaged by chemical remover so check with the chemical
product manufacturer before applying.
Painted signs are sensitive and may be difficult to remove graffiti from.
Always test a small area to see how effective chemical removal will be.
Graffiti removal from concrete and unpainted bricks
Removal options
•
•
•
•
Chemical graffiti remover followed by pressure washing.
Soda blasting.
Sand blasting.
Painting.
Maintenance
•
•
Remove graffiti as soon as possible. The longer it stays on a porous surface the harder it
is to remove.
Soda and sand blasting require specialist equipment; consider getting advice from a
professional.
Considerations
•
•
•
•
•
Ghosting or shadowing may occur on porous surfaces and require further attempts or
another product. Seek advice on products that may assist.
Do not let run-off to enter drains or waterways. Capture any paint flakes and dispose of in
accordance with government regulations.
Be aware that several coats of chemical remover may be required, waiting two to three
minutes between applications.
When using high pressure water blasters, angle stream against the surface to minimise
splash back and damage to the surface. Work from the top down so the water undercuts
the softened graffiti.
For porous surfaces, heavy-duty remover may be required. Use a scrubbing brush where
necessary.
Painting over graffiti
Tips
•
•
•
•
•
Assess the surface and perform any preparations such as removing flaking paint, dust
and grime or other unstable substrates.
Paint out the graffiti in full sections rather than just painting over the letters or tag.
An undercoat may be required to stop the graffiti showing through.
Apply paint to dry surfaces only.
Always match the existing paint colour. In most instances, if you have a sample, your local
paint or hardware store will be able to make a close match.
Considerations
•
•
•
•
Correct surface preparation is essential for a good finish.
Consider storing remaining paint in a smaller container to prevent a skin forming over the
paint.
Record the paint colour so a match is possible in the future.
A base coat may be needed for lighter colours such as yellow or red.
Staying safe when removing graffiti
When you are using chemical products or paints to remove graffiti, it is important to take
precautions to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you.
When using paints
•
•
•
•
•
•
Always wear eye protection and follow the product manufacturer’s instructions.
Do not allow paint run-off or flakes to enter the stormwater or waterways as this can
damage the environment.
Try to wipe/squeeze excess paint from rollers and brushes back into the paint tin for future
use.
Paint out brushes and rollers onto newspaper and then dispose of with your general
rubbish once dry.
Use two containers to clean your brush. The first one to clean the brush and another to
use for a final clean.
Use newspaper to clean out the remainder from your cleaning buckets and dispose of
with your general rubbish once dry.
When using chemicals
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The chemicals in graffiti removal products can be hazardous so be sure to wear protective
items such as gloves and safety glasses or goggles.
Only use chemicals in a well-ventilated area.
Always follow the directions on the product.
Keep away from children and animals.
Do not allow chemical run-off to enter the stormwater or waterways as this can damage
the environment.
Dispose of chemicals safely. Council’s waste transfer stations have chemical disposal
facilities.
Chemicals rely on a reaction with paint. A wall that has been in direct sunlight for a period
of time will be easier to remove graffiti from than one that has been in the shade. A better
reaction occurs when the surface is warm.
Graffiti vandalism is a crime
If you have information that might lead to the identification of persons involved in graffiti, please
call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
•
•
•
•
•
For more information or to report graffiti:
SMS a photo and location details to
Council’s Taskforce Against Graffiti on 0429 234 948
visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/graffiti
contact Council on (07) 3403 8888.
市政府以繁體中文提供涂鴉管理資訊：
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/chi
市政府以简体中文提供涂鸦管理信息：
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/zho
시의회가 한국어로 그래피티에 관한 정보를 제공합니다.
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/kor
Hội Đồng cung cấp thông tin về graffiti bằng tiếng Việt tại
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/vie
‫ع لى ال جدران ع لى ال ك تاب ة عن ب ال عرب مة مع لومات ال ب لدي ال مج لس مّدقي‬
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/ara