Another graffiti-vandalism problem, and a question

Just out of the WSB inbox, Betsy writes:

Someone sprayed graffiti on the end of the guard rail on the beach side of the road at the corner of Alki Ave. and Beach Drive recently, and today I discovered that they’d also tagged the slope of the retaining wall on the beach just down the sidewalk of the boat landing area. I really hate this stuff. It’s Seattle Parks property, but if I call them will they just come out with some gray paint and cover it? That’s just as ugly and attracts new taggers just as the original graffiti does. Do any of your readers know if paint remover will work on metal and concrete?

8 Replies to "Another graffiti-vandalism problem, and a question"

  • Rhonda Porter November 4, 2007 (7:22 pm)

    Does anyone know if there’s a block watch organized for that area? We have one at 47-4800 Beach Drive and when Ben Kinslow (sp) with us, he indicated that the sooner graffiti is removed, the better. I don’t recall if he mentioned how to do it.

  • Pelicans November 4, 2007 (8:13 pm)

    There is no formal block watch, but many of us on the point watch on our own and we have a pretty good network. Trouble is, so many people pass this way every day. It’s a big pedestrian, jogger, dog-walker route. Don’t think any of those people would do this. We try to keep an eye on nighttime beach-goers, especially the younger ones, but can’t see over the wall, unfortunately.

  • David November 4, 2007 (8:35 pm)

    This is a good starting point:
    Graffiti removal

  • Pelicans November 4, 2007 (9:30 pm)

    David,
    Wonderful site. Thanks for the info. Looks like I can handle the metal guard rail. Will try a small test area on the concrete, though.

  • Amber November 4, 2007 (11:16 pm)

    Acetone is a good solvent for spray paint. For porous surfaces such as concrete, a ridgid scrub brush should be used. Proper safty equipment should be used (i.e. nitrile gloves, eye glasses, and a face mask or respirator).

  • JumboJim November 5, 2007 (9:51 am)

    It would be criminal (perhaps legally, as well as ethically) to use acetone on a beach bulkhead. Acetone is a powerful and extremely toxic. It will take about 1 tide cycle or 1 good storm to end up in the sound.

    I applaud anyone who would take the time to clean up their neighborhood but is that really a better idea than the gray paint the parks dept. might use??

  • Jenny November 5, 2007 (12:04 pm)

    > It would be criminal (perhaps legally, as well as ethically) to use acetone on a beach bulkhead. Acetone is a powerful and extremely toxic. It will take about 1 tide cycle or 1 good storm to end up in the sound.

    Acetone? You mean nail polish remover? I’d think that would evaporate rather quickly out in the open.

  • Christopher Boffoli November 5, 2007 (8:08 pm)

    Jenny: You’re absolutely right. The acetone would almost immediately evaporate and would pose no harm at all to the Sound. In fact, acetone (CH3, CO, CH3 or dimethyl ketone) is soluble in water, is an excellent solvent and is relatively non-toxic. The EPA has even exempted it from air pollution regulations as it has been found to be a non-hazardous air pollutant. Its greatest danger to its users is that it is incredibly flammable.

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