This article explains best practices for graffiti removal by the use of high pressure washing machines.
Graffiti removal can be quite time-consuming and labor intensive. One effective method is through pressure washer techniques such as sandblasting and aqua blasting, with or without chemicals.
Most times and in many situations, chemicals are simply not needed. Steam pressure cleaning, for example, may use water that is super heated, combining it with a low pressure setting. This is often enough to clean many hard surfaces. Harsh chemicals make the work more expensive; in addition, they add to the pollution of the environment, especially the groundwater.
Steam pressure cleaning can also be applicable to removal of other materials, such as grease, chewing gum, bird droppings, oil stains, and more. It can also be applied to simple environmental cleaning of many surfaces, and not simply removal of graffiti. These include pavements, facades, fire damages, footpaths, concrete floors, and other washouts,. It can be applied to industrial cleaning, commercial cleaning and residential.
This can be effective for metal surfaces, for example, when other methods of paint removal such as sandpapering and using paint thinner are ineffective. Using low-pressure spraying might do the trick.
On wooden surfaces, as with other types of surfaces, it is always safe and important to first clean a test area. In wood, pressure and water might damage the material or drive the paint deeper into the wood. Even low pressure spraying can create such problems, so test it first.
If a pressure washer is being used, it's a good idea to start off with a test area. Different pressure settings must be tested on the surface to prevent surface damage. Also, using a wide spraying pattern avoids any paint etching onto the surface or area that is being cleaned. An extra amount of care is needed when cleaning old masonry walls, because they are more prone to crumbling. While cleaning out the test area, make small and medium adjustments to determine the right pressure and pace for the particular surface being worked on.
For surfaces of masonry, using a pressure washer set to low, such as 80 PSI, is the best setting. Other fine-tuning techniques include not setting the spray nozzle to a narrow setting, for this may cause etching of the graffiti on the surface.
Always exercise standard safety precautions when using pressure spraying in graffiti removal. Once the pressure spraying method is chosen, make sure that all the proper settings are made in order to prevent injury both to the operator and to people in the surroundings, as well as damage to the property.
Be familiarized with the operating instructions of the pressure washer manufacturer before attempting to work with it. For delicate and old masonry surfaces, do not set the water pressure to more than 500 PSI. For optimum graffiti removal, angle the sprayer nozzle to about fifteen to fifty degrees from the wall. Never set the sprayer’s nozzle directly on the surface; this will more likely damage wooden and masonry surfaces. It is common sense not to use pressure washing on glass surfaces; they are more often than not more likely to break or be damaged. And never aim the pressure washer nozzle to other persons or to animals.
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