Anti-Graffiti Protection Systems

Anti-graffiti coatings provide a shielding layer that facilitates the removal of graffiti by providing a water-and oil-resistant surface that precludes the penetration of paint through the substrate. The main objective of this research is to provide the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) with recommendations on the re-evaluation of the existing moratorium on anti-graffiti protection systems and the best practices of their usage. A survey of the state of the practice on anti-graffiti protection systems that targeted the North Central States Consortium for Midwest state departments of transportation was conducted. The responses of six states were summarized and fully analyzed, highlighting the pros and cons of each product. A comprehensive market survey of the best anti-graffiti coatings available in the market, their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, and best practices adopted in using them was performed. Moreover, the anti-graffiti protection coatings applied in Illinois construction projects during the past 14 years were summarized. The research comprised a study of graffiti-removal techniques, such as physical, chemical, and biological techniques. Furthermore, the researchers classified all studied products based on their type (sacrificial vs. non-sacrificial) and ranked them based on the combined effect of their surface applicability, volatile organic compound content, and cost. Flowcharts that categorize anti-graffiti protection systems based on their types, porosity of the substrate, volatile organic compound content, removal techniques, and cost were developed to guide IDOT in selecting the most appropriate anti-graffiti coating for a certain project. The research concluded that the existing moratorium placed by IDOT on the usage of anti-graffiti protection systems should be lifted and recommended a set of anti-graffiti coatings that can be used with multiple surface applications as well as identified their characteristics and optimal procedures for their usage.