Laker Paints - permanent antigraffiti solutions

Overview:

This Protection System is designed to provide protection for the widest possible range of surfaces against the normal marking materials used by the vandals who call themselves "Graffiti Artists". They have been particularly tailored to cause an absolutely minimal change to the appearance of the protected surface, exhibiting a high gloss when applied to glossy surfaces, yet matte when applied to rough or textured items. The protective coatings will in most cases not cause a detectable darkening of stone, decorative cementicious surfaces or timber.

Anti-Graffiti coatings are found in two basic categories: Permanent and Sacrificial.

Sacrificial Coatings have traditionally been water-based, some causing minimal darkening of concrete, etc; as well as being able to protect, to an extent, more sensitive surfaces such as acrylic or plastic paints, etc... They are less noxious in use and "environmentally friendly", as well requiring less specialized knowledge and expertise in use.

The downside is that they "sacrifice" themselves to the cause of graffiti removal. The anti-graffiti coating itself is removed chemically, taking the graffiti with it. The sacrificial coating therefore may provide protection to the surface from graffiti but not necessarily from the chemicals used to remove it. Plastic signwriting paints, for instance, are likely to be removed along with the sacrificial coating, as they are generally sensitive to these types of chemical removers.

The system also opens a "window of opportunity" to the graffiti artist. After the coating and attendant graffiti is removed, the surface is unprotected until the coating is reinstated. This involves the passage of, in many cases, one or more nights, and at the very least several hours during which the surface is totally unprotected and may be more permanently vandalized. This is quite apart from the cost involved in reapplying the coating to the surface every time it's "hit".

Lastly, the chemicals used for removal are normally smelly, noxious, caustic, and in many cases, toxic. A number of commonly-used removers cause severe burns on contact with the skin. These chemicals are of necessity spread around liberally, and then hosed away into the surrounding countryside, or at best down storm drains, usually with a very limited local water supply preventing proper flushing and dilution.

VanIsh 2000 offers answers to a number of these problems.

• It is a water-based coating, resistant to all types of graffiti.
• It does not darken the substrate, even decorative coloured concrete panels.
• It may be reapplied without waiting for the surface to dry out after the removal process, removing the "window of opportunity" for the graffiti artist to permanently mark sensitive materials.
• It may be removed using simple ammoniated water (either plain or gelled) or several other innocuous and environmentally- and user- friendly substances. These are simply a little smelly, rather than noxious and toxic. They are environmentally friendly to the point of being beneficial to all types of soils and plants.
• The removal process will not damage underlying paints or decorations - not even plastic signwriting paints.
• Cost of reinstating the coating is minimized by removing the need for multiple visits, and the material itself is relatively inexpensive.

Permanent Anti-graffiti Coatings are normally Two-pack polyurethane, epoxy or so-called "iso-free urethanes". These are thinners based and present a number of problems, including risks to applicators and bystanders from fire and explosion; health risks; environmental concerns with V.O.C. emissions, waste disposal and cleanup; plus the inevitable wastage that is implicit with any two-component product. They are generally not suitable for application over existing paint systems or signwriting, and will substantially change and darken the appearance of stone and masonry surfaces in particular. Some types will darken and "yellow" on exposure to sunlight. At their best, they provide protection for the substrate from multiple attacks and subsequent removals using very aggressive chemical cleaners and high pressure water blasters, without the need to repair or replace the protective coating.

VanGuard 10 is a unique addition to the Permanent class of anti graffiti coatings, offering the tenacious chemical resistance which is the best feature of the class, whilst eliminating nearly all of the drawbacks. It is a water-based, two-component aliphatic polyurethane. This means:

• no wastage - the "pot life" is indefinite;
• no environmental problems - completely non-toxic;
• no thinners - cleanup with water;
• no fire & explosion risk - none of the products or removers are inflammable;
• minimal accident and health risk to bystanders and workers;
• no darkening or yellowing in sunlight (or out of it!);
• no need to reinstate the coating following graffiti removal (and no risk of the unprotected surface being "hit" between removal and reinstatement).

The product has also been engineered such that there is:

• no change in the appearance of the surface, be it signwriting, acrylic paint, masonry and stone, fibro or timber.
• no reaction with previously painted surfaces (no melting, darkening or bubbling, even with plastic signwriting paints!);
• no need for special skills applying the coating - it behaves just like a conventional acrylic house paint.

Entrance to Forest Lake The result of a Grafitti attack at the Entrance to Forest Lake (Above) in Brisbane's South West. In the following scenes you will see how Vanguard 10 made it possible to restore this Entrance to its former appearance.	The Removal work begins.
A removal agent is applied to the affected areas, then washed off with water.	Vanguard-10 has done the job and preserved the wall beneath the Grafitti. No permanent damage to the wall has occurred.
The Final Result is shown below

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Examples:

Before		After
Brickwork is another problem area, but VanGuard 10 provides an impenetrable shield to facilitate removal without the usual "shadowing" problem.
Before		After
Graffiti applied to "Granosite" style finish with an aerosol paint can (left) and after removal (right). There is no remaining Graffiti, yet the Granosite is in tact!
Before		After
Timber surfaces provide a challenge - again, before removal (left) and following application of the Graffiti Remover (right). appearance of the timber will return to normal after it dries.

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