Graffiti removal is not one job. Spray paint on sealed metal wipes off; the same paint on bare brick has soaked into the surface, and the removal method that works on one will make a permanent mess of the other.
Identify the surface, then the product
Match the remover to the surface: a masonry-specific product for bare brick and render, a sensitive-surface product for painted and coated walls, and a solvent remover for metal and glass. Always test in an inconspicuous spot, because the wrong product lifts the paint you wanted to keep.
Prices are Freshway catalogue prices as at 16 September 2026 and are subject to change. Confirm the current price, and whether GST applies, before quoting.
Method by surface
| Surface | Product | Technique |
|---|---|---|
| Bare brick, concrete, stone | Masonry graffiti remover | Apply, dwell, agitate with a stiff brush, rinse. Expect two passes on porous surfaces. |
| Painted brick, render, powder coat | Sensitive-surface remover | Apply to the graffiti only, keep off the surrounding coating, dwell, wipe, rinse. |
| Metal, glass, signage | Solvent remover or a gel spotter | Soak a cloth, hold it against the paint, lift with a plastic scraper. |
| Timber and fences | Sensitive-surface remover | Test first; sanding or replacing boards is often the honest answer. |
The poultice idea, and why it matters on brick
On a porous surface, a thin layer of product sits on top and the paint stays in the substrate. The technique that works is closer to a poultice: apply the remover, cover it with plastic so it stays wet, leave it long enough to draw the paint out, then agitate and rinse. Repeat rather than increasing the strength.
What dissolves what
- Rubbing alcohol softens marker and some acrylic tags on hard surfaces. It is not strong enough for spray enamel.
- Acetone attacks many spray paints and evaporates too fast to work on porous brick.
- Solvent blends in a gel carrier are the practical answer on smooth surfaces because they stay wet.
- Masonry-specific removers are formulated to lift paint out of a porous substrate rather than off a surface.
The prevention question
The cheapest removal is the second one that never happens. Anti-graffiti coatings give a sacrificial layer that can be washed or peeled, and on a wall that has been tagged twice they pay for themselves. Where the site is a school, a rail corridor or a public building, the coating also changes the removal method: tell the cleaner what was applied, because a solvent that is safe on sealed masonry is not safe on every coating.
Doing it commercially
Graffiti work is priced on the surface, the paint and the access. Two practical notes: photograph the result and the run-off, because local councils and building managers often ask for evidence, and capture the wash water where the paint and solvent would otherwise go into a stormwater drain. The NSW Environment Protection Authority covers chemical and wash water controls, and SafeWork NSW covers the chemical handling in chemicals and other substances.
Access, safety and the wash water
Graffiti is often high, in a stairwell or on a wall beside a road, and that changes the job more than the chemistry does. Working at height, in traffic or on a ladder in wind needs its own controls, and the cleaner should be able to say no to the access rather than push on with a bucket.
The wash water matters too. Solvent and paint residue going into a stormwater drain is a reportable problem, and on a commercial site the run-off usually has to be contained and disposed of as trade waste. Keep a spill kit and an absorbent on site, photograph the before and after, and note the disposal method on the job sheet.
Questions we get asked most
- What can I use to remove graffiti?
- A surface-specific remover: masonry product for bare brick and concrete, sensitive-surface product for painted walls, and a solvent gel for metal and glass.
- Does rubbing alcohol remove graffiti?
- It handles marker and light acrylic tags on hard, sealed surfaces. It will not shift spray enamel on bare masonry.
- Does acetone get rid of graffiti?
- It attacks many spray paints on smooth surfaces and evaporates too quickly to dwell on brick or concrete. A gel or poultice product is more effective there.
- What is the best graffiti remover on brick?
- A remover formulated for bare masonry, applied as a poultice with dwell time and agitation. On porous brick, expect more than one pass.
- Can graffiti be removed from painted render?
- Often yes with a sensitive-surface remover, and the risk is the paint underneath. Test first: where the render coating is already failing, spot removal can leave a patch that requires repainting anyway.
References
- NSW Environment Protection Authority — chemicals and wash water.
- SafeWork NSW — chemicals and other substances.
Tagged again on the same wall?
Tell us the surface and how often it happens, and we will recommend the remover plus an anti-graffiti coating so the next clean takes minutes. Browse cleaning chemicals or ask our team.