Preservation Brief 38: Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry
Weaver ME. 1995. Preservation Brief 38: Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry. Cultural Landscape Guidance Documents. ISSN: 0885 7016. National Park Service; New York Landmarks Conservancy, Preservation Assistance Division. Washington, D.C.
Removing graffiti as soon as it appears is key to its elimination and recurrence. This Brief is intended to help owners and managers of historic masonry structures find the best ways to remove exterior, surface-applied graffiti quickly, effectively, and safely. It discusses the materials used to apply graffiti and guidance on how to remove graffiti from all types of historic masonry without causing harm to the surface or the substrate. Successful graffiti removal from historic masonry depends on breaking the bond between the graffiti and the masonry surface without causing damage to the masonry. This requires knowledge both of the materials used to create graffiti and the masonry, as well as understanding of the cleaning methods and materials. Suggestions are also offered regarding the use of physical barriers to protect masonry surfaces from graffiti and the application of barrier coatings to facilitate graffiti removal. Health and safety and environmental concerns are also addressed, as well as regulatory issues. Removing graffiti without causing damage to historic masonry is a job for trained maintenance crews and generally should not be undertaken by untrained workers or property owners. Although this Brief focuses on historic masonry, the same guidance may be applied to removal of graffiti from non-historic masonry.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Weaver, Martin
- Date of Issue
- 1995-10
- Publisher
- National Park Service; New York Landmarks Conservancy, Preservation Assistance Division
- Units
- CRPS
- Keywords
- Barrier Coating, Conservator, CRSS, graffiti removal, health and safety, Historic building material, Masonry cleaning, Masonry surface, pigment, poulticing, spray paint, surface cleaning, treatment plan, Vandalism, Volatile organic compounds