HELP PLEASE! "GRAFFITI" REMOVAL FROM BRICKWORK

Boohoo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82049364#Comment_82049364

Wouldn't the bricks only have 1 face on them?

The inside facing bricks would would probably be messed up with what ever was thrown into the pillar void and what about the railings either side. Seems to me like it won't be cheap to do.

stuart45

LBC Flettons only have a face on one side. You can get brick tints to match bricks. The face is quite easily damaged on these bricks. If you look at the top of the brick on edge there's a slight chip showing the pink clay that under a thin layer of the face. One of the reasons that these bricks became unpopular for new builds is that the faces were coming off too easily.

Grumpy_chap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82049331#Comment_82049331

If it is rented, get a professional job and get the LL to agree process in advance

fatbelly

No harm in doing a test on a small area first. I cant see a water based product like the Toolstation one working, though lots of reviews say it does. I would have thought you would need cellulose thinners.

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82049331#Comment_82049331

You could try asking the local council. They are responsible for removing graffiti in public spaces so usually have a framework agreement or similar with one or more local contractors, or an in-house service.

Some councils offer the service (with or without a fee) to private property owners, as keeping graffiti off private land helps reduce it on public property.

So they might give you details of contractors they use, or offer you use of their service.

The type of brick and the fact it is only a small pillar confirms the need to take extra care with removal. Blasting near the corners with a pressure washer risks knocking some of the pointing out, in addition to damage to the faces of the bricks. Also, cleaning only the patch where the number is will leave a ghost patch, the patina will be removed along with the paint. A good contractor would blend the cleaned area so it doesn't look so obvious.

Getting it cleaned by a professional should cost less than having the pillar rebuilt.

stuart45

I've looked at the product and reviews on Toolstation. I'd guess it works better when the paint is fresh and still soft. Paint can dry quickly, but takes much longer to fully harden. Most people tend to remove graffiti soon after it's been done. I saw one where he took it off the concrete and removed the last 20% with a wire brush.

The problem with a porous surface like that or brickwork is that some of the paint can soak in below the surface, rather than sit on the top like it does with plastic or metal.

Depends how good the owner is expecting it. Painting the number on the wall used to be a common site on council houses.

I can't remember actually ever removing paint from brickwork myself, my speciality was putting it on.

elsien

Sibling asked local council if he could pay for them to come and remove graffiti from his wall but they declined to be responsible for any damage caused during the removal.
Which for him defeated the object of going to the council in the first place, because he presumed (perhaps rather naïvely) that they would know what they were doing.

FreeBear

Have a chat with PeelAway and see what product they recommend. I often hear good things about their products, so worth having that conservation.

The other alternative would be something like Nitromors, but the modern formulation isn't as good as the original.. In this weather, wrap clingfilm round the pillar to stop the stripper from drying out too fast. Also do a test on a small area first.

If you are paying someone to do the work, look for a specialist graffiti removal firm and/or someone that uses the DOFF system. But you may find the surface of the brick suffers some damage. Complete rebuild with new bricks is also an option, but an expensive one.

P0123

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82049361#Comment_82049361

I'm not sure if I am replying properly, (I haven't used the Forum for a long time, and I can't find a button to reply)…

Boohoo - I couldn't paint the pillar, my landlords would go beserk!! (I've already received the "angry response", and that was enough). I'm afraid I can't afford a professional expert/specialist though.

P0123

mta999

Thank you, but I can't see how that could work, because if the bricks were turned around, then they would have the cement from being attached to the other bricks on them, and I would have thought that trying to get that off would damage them(?). Also, I can't afford a professional to do such a thing.