Anti-Graffiti

Anti-graffiti paint, or anti-graffiti coating, is a well established product in use across many industries to protect surfaces.

To start though, what is graffiti? The word graffiti stems from the Italian word graffiato, which means scratched. It was originally used to describe the drawings and inscriptions found on ancient Greek, Egyptian and Roman architecture and artifacts but now refers to uninvited “artwork” in public spaces and on private property. Here the graffiti permanent marker or spray paint takes the form of shapes, names or words applied onto walls, fences, barriers, bridges, buildings, trains and signs. Aside from the offensive nature of some of this type of graffiti, this graffiti can only be described as vandalism.

Another name given to graffiti is street art. Street art’s popularity has risen dramatically in recent years, partly due to prominent artists such as Banksy, Bambi and Vhils.

Research commissioned by the Affordable Art Fair and the University of Warwick reveal that neighbourhoods that have a higher proportion of urban art such as murals and outdoor sculptures have experienced an increase in the market value of local properties.

The Affordable Art Fair research shows that 43% of British people would rather be in an area with beautiful murals and street art than a local coffee shop, while 29% of Briton’s would like to commission an artist to paint a mural on the outside of their own house.

Many believe that the art enhances community spirit and lifts people’s moods. Indeed, Blocksil itself helped protect a Banksy artwork from the elements and vandalism with one of our clear protective coatings.

Graffiti in subway

Graffiti on bridge

The estimated cost to the UK for cleaning up all unwanted graffiti is over £1 billion per year. This amount of money would pay for the (pre-Covid) National Health Service for approximately three days.

Between 2009 and 2014, the city of Glasgow spent out more than £2 million removing graffiti from across the city. In terms of “volume”, Glasgow City Council have to remove over 100,000 metres of graffiti per year.

The railway industry is also targeted by graffiti vandals. Here the annual spend in removing graffiti is estimated to be £40 million per year, excluding disruption to services and paying customers.

We have a number of solvent free anti-graffiti coatings in our range for internal and external use that are available right now. The choice of coating depends on the objectives of the client, the site location and budget. The anti-graffiti coatings are all capable of being applied by you, though we can arrange for the application on your behalf if you wish.

Our anti-graffiti coatings can be applied to a wide range of substrates. Blocksil has anti-graffiti paint for metal, concrete, stone, steel, painted surfaces, Formica and some plastics.

But does anti-graffiti paint work?

The short answer is “yes”. We have experience and satisfied clients to back up this claim. Depending on the anti-graffiti paint or coating chosen extensive warranties can be provided.

How does anti-graffiti paint work?

In the case of nano coatings on metals or plastics the coating gives a very smooth surface with a significant reduction in the number and size of surface defects. Looked at under a microscope, all surfaces are rough and porous. The anti-graffiti nano coating will seal and fill the surface which makes it much harder for the permanent marker, ink or paint to get a grip. This in turn makes the painted surface much easier to clean.

In the case of our other anti-graffiti paints and coatings, especially our hybrid chemistry system, the actual chemistry of the coating itself repels the vandal’s ink or paint. Think of the way a non-stick frying pan allows you to cook without the food sticking to it. And like a non-stick coated frying pan, the better the quality of the coating the longer lasting the performance.

Can you paint over anti-graffiti paint?

In nearly all cases the answer is no. The exception is the Blocksil New Anti-Graffiti Coating which can be overcoated by itself and is available in a wide range of colours.

Our super durable coatings are permanent anti-graffiti paints which provide an effective protective coating for the substrate. The graffiti resistant coating technology is based on nano coatings, Silicone or modern hybrid chemistry. Cleaning of the anti-graffiti coated surfaces is easy, with graffiti removers or high pressure jet washing. Blocksil can and will provide guidance on cleaning of our coated surfaces.