# How to clean graffiti off of brick? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 14, 2011, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-graffiti-off-of-brick/585493 "2011-06-14T22:00:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-graffiti-off-of-brick/585493/1 "2011-06-14T22:00:03Z")
Would a power washer clean spray paint off of a brick house? If not, how would you do it? ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-graffiti-off-of-brick/585493/2 "2011-06-14T22:21:21Z")
You can try. It might work. Normally they sand blast it. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-graffiti-off-of-brick/585493/3 "2011-06-14T22:24:53Z")
Try something like [this](http://www.vikingindustrial.com/Graffiti-Remover-v-16.html). Brick is very hard to remove graffiti from, because it’s porous. Even if the remover and power washer works, you are likely to have “ghosting,” so don’t expect perfect results. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2011, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-graffiti-off-of-brick/585493/4 "2011-06-14T23:03:53Z")
I used to use a car engine degreaser called Gunk to get spray paint off of cement. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-graffiti-off-of-brick/585493/5 "2011-06-15T03:48:49Z")
> [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > You can try. It might work. Normally they sand blast it. Ah so sand blasting would be the way. You can rent those, right? (This is all hypothetical btw, my house is fine) ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-graffiti-off-of-brick/585493/6 "2011-06-15T03:54:00Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > Ah so sand blasting would be the way. You can rent those, right? (This is all hypothetical btw, my house is fine) You need to be very careful when sandblasting brick - if you use too-agressive abrasive, you can seriously erode the brick, which looks bad. I don’t think that sandblasting is a novice DIY project. Try the chemicals and power washer first. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-graffiti-off-of-brick/585493/7 "2011-06-15T03:54:28Z")
I have a vague memory that you’re not supposed to powerspray brick as you’ll force water between the mortar and brick or into the porous brick or something like that. But I could be mis-remembering. If this weren’t a hypothetical, you’d be well off to check with an expert. ---
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-graffiti-off-of-brick/585493/8 "2011-06-15T13:09:11Z")
On another site I was once asked how to remove graffiti from rocks without killing the moss. I suggested liquid cooking oil. It was quite successful earningme the most positive feedback of anything I ever posted to the net. Yes, moss huggers. ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-graffiti-off-of-brick/585493/9 "2011-06-15T15:43:34Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > You need to be very careful when sandblasting brick - if you use too-agressive abrasive, you can seriously erode the brick, which looks bad. I don’t think that sandblasting is a novice DIY project. Try the chemicals and power washer first. I think professional conservators use something other than sand for this type of sandblasting. I’ve heard of ground walnut shells and ice pellets being used. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-graffiti-off-of-brick/585493/10 "2011-06-15T20:46:17Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > Ah so sand blasting would be the way. You can rent those, right? (This is all hypothetical btw, my house is fine) Yes, you can rent one of those. You will need to purchase the sand though. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2011, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-graffiti-off-of-brick/585493/11 "2011-06-15T22:46:12Z")
Good detail to know, thanks Omar. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2011, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-graffiti-off-of-brick/585493/12 "2011-06-16T01:44:12Z")
I used a wire wheel on a drill to take paint off of rock. Basically the same thing as sand blasting. Both are going to abrade the surface. ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2011, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-graffiti-off-of-brick/585493/13 "2011-06-16T05:31:14Z")
Back in the day, I participated in an effort to remove graffiti from some Native American petroglyphs. We used copious amount of Easy Off[sup]TM[/sup] oven spray and washed it off with water from a fire hose. Worked like a charm. ---
**Author:** ![Deereman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Deereman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deereman)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2011, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-graffiti-off-of-brick/585493/14 "2011-06-16T08:01:10Z")
Sandblasting is not a clean process. Pretty nasty. You’ll end up with a beach by the time you’re done. And you have to have adequate protection for your lungs and your body. Professionals used supplied air, I’ve used one with a good filtration (painting mask) which is still taking a bit of a chance ---
**Author:** ![Khendrask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@Khendrask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khendrask)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2011, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-graffiti-off-of-brick/585493/15 "2011-06-16T12:14:40Z")
> [@Deereman](#): > > Sandblasting is not a clean process. Pretty nasty. You’ll end up with a beach by the time you’re done. And you have to have adequate protection for your lungs and your body. Professionals used supplied air, I’ve used one with a good filtration (painting mask) which is still taking a bit of a chance We’ve gotten completely way from open-cycle sand-blasting for our equipment. For open cycle blasting, we’ve switched to a [Cold-Jet machine,](http://www.coldjet.com/en/information/what-is-dry-ice-blasting.php/index.htm) which not only works better then sandblasting, but has virtually no cleanup. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmyfizzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f1d935/32.png) [@Jimmyfizzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmyfizzy)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-graffiti-off-of-brick/585493/16 "2012-03-19T20:29:10Z")
Would a oven cleaner work ? ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-graffiti-off-of-brick/585493/17 "2012-03-19T21:07:14Z")
I’ve used [Goof Off](http://www.goofoffstainremover.com/) successfully many times. They even have a section on brick. I’ll second the notion that sandblasting brick will likely damage the brick ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-graffiti-off-of-brick/585493/18 "2012-03-19T21:11:15Z")
> [@Sal\_Ammoniac](#): > > I think professional conservators use something other than sand for this type of sandblasting. I’ve heard of ground walnut shells and ice pellets being used. And corn husks. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-graffiti-off-of-brick/585493/19 "2012-03-19T21:41:43Z")
> [@Jimmyfizzy](#): > > Would a oven cleaner work ? zombie or no that is a chemical that has to be used carefully and properly. it is made for a specific application and might be safe when used for that purpose. it is corrosive to bodies and clothing, it may be had to use it safely when attempting to use it for other purposes. ---
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-graffiti-off-of-brick/585493/20 "2012-03-20T02:47:54Z")
> [@Jimmyfizzy](#): > > Would a oven cleaner work ? Check the label. I think the active ingredient is lye. Lye is highly effective on paint held together by ester linkages. It may not do much on newer paints with acrylic and styrene backbones. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-clean-graffiti-off-of-brick/585493.md?page=2)