Graffiti Removal

Graffiti is a problem that gets harder to fix the longer it sits there. Fresh paint comes off relatively easily; weathered paint sinks into porous surfaces and becomes much harder to remove cleanly. We provide a graffiti removal service across the North East for both private property owners and commercial customers, and we can usually get to fresh tags within 24 hours of a call.

Every surface and every type of graffiti needs a different approach. Spray paint on smooth metal lifts off with relatively little effort; the same paint on porous brick or render is a much bigger job. We use a graduated system — starting with the gentlest method that's likely to work, and only escalating if needed. The aim is removal without damage to the underlying surface.

Surfaces we treat

• Brick and stone — most common, also the most challenging due to porosity.
• Render and pebble dash — soft surfaces that need careful chemistry.
• Painted walls — risk of removing the wall paint with the graffiti; sometimes overpainting is the better answer.
• Metal — shutters, signs, railings. Usually quickest to clean.
• Plastic and uPVC — needs solvent that doesn't damage the plastic.
• Glass — including etched glass tagging.
• Concrete — pavements, walls and panels.
• Wood — fences, gates, hoardings.

Our approach to removal

We start with a free site visit (or photos by email for fast quoting). We identify the surface, the type and age of the graffiti, and whether the area is sensitive (heritage building, listed wall, near plants and so on). We then test our gentlest treatment on a small inconspicuous patch.

If the test patch lifts the graffiti without affecting the substrate, we proceed with the full removal. If not, we step up to a more aggressive treatment — different solvent, longer dwell time, or hot-water pressure washing. The escalation process protects sensitive substrates while still giving us a path to remove stubborn material.

Hot water pressure washing

Hot water makes a big difference on graffiti removal. At 80°C, paint softens and lifts much more easily than with cold water alone. Our petrol-driven hot pressure washers reach this temperature on site without needing mains power, which is essential for working on shopfronts, garages, kerbside walls and other locations without easy connections.

Combined with the right chemistry — usually a graffiti-specific solvent matched to the paint type — hot water pressure washing removes the vast majority of graffiti from hard surfaces in a single visit.

When overpainting is the right answer

Sometimes graffiti removal isn't the best route. On a wall that has already been painted, removing graffiti often takes the wall paint with it, leaving a patch that needs touching up anyway. In these cases, overpainting from edge to edge is usually faster, cheaper and gives a better finish than fighting to remove paint from paint. We'll tell you honestly if overpainting is the better answer for your specific situation.

On heritage and listed substrates, where chemical removal is restricted, overpainting may also be the only practical option. We can carry out matched overpainting on uniform surfaces, or recommend a painter for more complex finishes.

Anti-graffiti coatings

If your property is in a high-risk area for repeat tagging, an anti-graffiti coating is well worth considering. These coatings (sacrificial wax-based or permanent polymer-based) make future graffiti much easier to remove — the paint sits on the coating, not the substrate, and lifts off with hot water and a soft brush. The up-front cost pays for itself after one or two attacks.

We apply both sacrificial and permanent coatings on commercial premises. Sacrificial coatings are renewed each time graffiti is removed; permanent coatings last several years.

Fast response for businesses

Speed matters with graffiti. The longer it stays visible, the more it attracts repeat tagging and the more it damages the impression of a business. We offer same-day or next-day response for graffiti removal on commercial premises across the North East — most jobs are completed within 24 hours of a call. Many of our retail and hospitality customers have us on a call-off basis specifically for graffiti.