Graffiti on Aspahalt/Tarmac

All asphalt/tarmac is black and made from bituminous oils and aggregate. When the aggregate stones are mixed together with hot asphalt cement, the mass of material becomes black. Over time, as the asphalt oxidizes, the coating on the aggregate breaks down and the color of the aggregate starts to show through. This can lead to a grayish color if the asphalt plant used a light-colored aggregate.

After removing graffiti from the sound wall, this city decided to paint over the graffiti that was left on the asphalt road.

Bare Brick, Stone & Masonry Graffiti Remover can be conventionally broomed onto the road surface (ie; 3coats at roughly 3-minute intervals) then rinsed away with a pressure washer. Proceed cautiously, and do a small area before commencing large scale removals, as these products can begin to break down the bituminous oils in asphalt – much like a diesel spill. 

This can result in any run-off water turning black and dirty, which must be collected and disposed of responsibly. For this reason, especially on newer / blacker roads, or seal-coated asphalt roads, we recommend using our Transgel. Brush thickly onto the spray can paint and allow some dwell time (at least 10-20 minutes) before rinsing off with your pressure washer. 

Transgel is most effective on thicker / older white and yellow spray can paints and can be left on longer without causing any degradation of the asphalt. As a quick alternative to removal, you could paint over the road using matte black road paint, available from commercial paint stores.

Thick Latex Painted Mural on Asphalt

Thicker latex paint removal from asphalt such as the mural pictured above usually requires a hot water pressure washer in conjunction with our removers. It is best to remove any thickness or damp/undried paint first with scrapers, rags, etc. Never start pressure washing wet latex paints. You will turn a square yard of paint into 200 sq. yards of mess. 

Brush on one of our removers using a soft nylon broom and rinse off with hot water. As always, test a small section first, before attempting large scale removals. 

Sometimes a rotating power nozzle in conjunction with HOT water can remove large areas of latex/emulsion /acrylic paints quickly. Latex paint pens and spills are common on roads and driveways. 

Hot water at pressure can be extremely useful at removing most graffiti made with acrylic or oil-based paint pens which have been ‘softened’ with our removers. However, extra-thick drips and paint spills may occasionally require a solvent-based paint stripper in conjunction with a hot water pressure washer. 

Please note: Our products are NOT designed for the removal of line stripping paint. Generally, this is done with sand or soda blasting, grinding, or other thickened solvent-based paint strippers in conjunction with steaming hot water at high pressure. 

Our products are highly effective in the removal of thinner remnants left behind after the lines have been stripped from the road surface. Remember once again; please test small areas first before embarking on large scale cleaning and ALWAYS observe extreme safety precautions when working on roadways or sidewalks.