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Fighting graffiti painting, on the exteriors of commercial buildings can be a tedious process. Often commercial buildings are repeat targets of local graffiti artist. What can proprietors do in an effort to fight Graffiti art, and minimize the damage?

Preventative measures:

Keep in mind, for the most part the areas hit are at an easy to reach height. The graffiti artist is not out there running around with ladders. Also, believe it or not, these graffitti artist are actually quite proud of their "art", and if they can not do a good job, often will not bother your commercial building.

Keeping the area well lit is the first line of defense.

They want to leave their message, but they do not want to get caught. Carefully placed security motion detectors can serve a dual purpose. As the graffiti painters move about, the on and off light action will set their nerves on edge. Shaky hand means no graffiti painting on your commercial building tonight. Secondly the lights may draw the attention of nearby community members, or police.

Plant very thorny evergreens, such as holly bushes.

Plant approximately two to three feet out from the wall, allowing spreading new growth to close the gap. At maturity these prickly defenders will keep your commercial building wall father than a comfortable arms reach from graffiti painting culprits. Keep trimmed at distance where they almost touch the commercial building wall to allow proper air circulation, and inhibit mold or mildew growth.

As A Last Resort Home Remedy

This will not be suitable for all surfaces, but has been used with successful outcomes by quite a number of small business owners. Generally applied in Smaller areas, where repeated graffiti painting is occurring on the building every week. Cover the wall with oil.

You heard right, oil. After you have cleaned, stripped, or repainted that section of your graffiti covered commercial building, for hopefully the last time, try this cheap, economical idea. Plain cooking oil is fine, some surfaces, such as stone may be handle products like WD-30 aerosol products. You will need to experiment with your particular surface, and circumstance.You may also want to experiment with various application methods. The main goal is to cover the area on the target wall of your commercial building, Creating a paint unfriendly surface. Even the spray paint has difficulty adhering on an oil slick surface. (please note: you will of course need to clean, but it should clean up easier this method is meant mainly as deterrent to use by experienced graffiti artist)You will need to reapply, as needed, until you determine if the graffiti artist have 'taken the hint'.

It is not really advised to use this method in summertime high temperatures, under direct sun exposure unless first determining any possible adverse reactions to surface. Vinyl siding, semi gloss and gloss paints, and stone work that have been treated have suffered no damage from temporary applications of household cooking oil.Again you do of course need to take your commercial building walls painting, or finish, into account before resorting to the last method of defense offered here. If you do not mind smelling like a fried chicken establishment for a while, hey, it just might work for you too.

Learn more about this author, Debbie Paulsen.
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