Spray paint can

Tips on removing and preventing graffiti

Bayside City Council is committed to effectively managing graffiti by applying prevention, removal, legislation and enforcement strategies, aiming to reduce the incidence of graffiti within the municipality.

Q. How can I remove graffiti? 

A. To remove spray paint and felt pen graffiti from specific surfaces use:

  • Foam oven cleaner – suitable for glass/aluminium, brick, tiling, concrete slab (spray paint only).
  • Liquid laundry detergent – suitable for glass/aluminium, concrete, brick.
  • Turpentine, eucalyptus oil, methylated spirits – suitable for glass/aluminium.
  • Matching paint – suitable for painted surfaces e.g. brick and timber.
  • Graffiti removal kit (includes chemicals, protective wear and instructions on how to safely remove graffiti, available from Council Customer Service Centre for $29) – suitable for concrete, brick, granite, bluestone, terracotta, sandstone.

Painting out is often the most effective way to remove graffiti. Keep some left over paint to remove graffiti should you need to, otherwise paint retailers can colour match. When painting over the graffiti, test a small area, and if the graffiti bleeds through the paint, use a sealant first.

Anti-graffiti coatings are available from paint or hardware stores. They aim to prevent graffiti from soaking into the paint and make graffiti removal easier. If a temporary coating is used, reapply after every few graffiti removals.

Please note that some graffiti coatings can be toxic and should be applied by a specialist, so always check with your local paint or hardware store.

A number of graffiti removal companies can also be found from the Yellow Pages website.

Please note: These tips are provided merely as suggestions only. Bayside City Council cannot guarantee the result of these products/services. Always conduct a spot test first.
 
Q. How can I report graffiti? 

A.

  • Report graffiti on Council property by phoning Council on 9599 4444
  • Report graffiti on private property to your local Police station (with photos is preferable):
    • Sandringham Police 9521 9099
    • Brighton Police 9592 6255

Note: Make sure to remove graffiti from your property as quickly as possible to reduce the likelihood of it occurring again.
 

Q. What is classified as Council property?
 
A. Council property includes Council buildings, parks and reserves, the foreshore, public toilets, street furniture such as seats and litter bins, playgrounds and equipment, bike paths, sculptures/monuments/artwork and council signs.   
 

Q. What about reporting graffiti on other items, such as public telephone boxes and post boxes? 
 
A. To report graffiti on items such as public telephone boxes, post boxes, traffic lights and power poles (utility assets), follow the guide below to contact the relevant authority.

Alternatively, report it to Council Customer Service by calling on 9599 4444 to pass onto the relevant authority.

Authority contacts:

  • VicRoads 13 11 70 (service: 24 hours a day)  Road networks, including traffic signal poles and traffic lights.  
  • Metro Trains 1800 800 7056 (service: 6am-10pm) Graffiti from Metro Trains property will be cleaned as soon as possible.  
  • Telstra 13 22 03 (service: 24 hours a day)  Telephone boxes, telephone stations, telephone poles and other Telstra property.
  • AGL Electricity  13 20 99 (service: 24 hours a day) Electricity posts, electricity supply units, other AGL property.  
  • Australia Post  13 13 18 (service: business hours)  Red letter boxes and green delivery boxes.

Q. How can I prevent graffiti?
 
A. Graffiti commonly occurs on blank walls and fences, as well as corner blocks and high visibility fences, as they appear to be a ‘blank canvas’ to graffiti vandals. Reduce the chance of graffiti occurring by:

Landscaping:

  • Plant creepers, vines, hedges or spiky plants along the wall line.

Fencing materials and finishes:

  • Use an anti-graffiti coating on surfaces to make graffiti removal easier.
  • Use darker coloured paint.
  • Use rough or textured surfaces.

Other tips:

  • Keep your property well maintained.
  • Install bright lights for night time. 


Page last updated: 30 Jun 2010

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