Coating protects against graffiti

A team of researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research in Potsdam has developed a new breathable coating that provides buildings with protection against graffiti.

It takes seconds to spray on graffiti, but hours or weeks to remove - especially from porous natural stone or brickwork found in the majority of historic monuments. The paint penetrates deep into the pores from where it is impossible to remove. Often the only answer is to etch away a part of the wall.

Special anti-graffiti polymer coatings have been on the market for several years. They create a hydrophobic seal that closes the pores, preventing the paint from adhering to the under surface and allowing it to be wiped off. But as a result, the building can no longer breathe, augmenting the risk of mould development or salt efflorescence. Because they cannot be removed easily, such coatings also run counter to the principles of conservation, which require that any changes must be reversible.