E.5 CLEANING THE INK FROM GRAFFITI
Graffiti causes damage through the application of spray paints onto the tiles on columns and walls, due to the vandalism following the abandonment of the Punta Begoña Galleries in recent years.
In order to remove these materials and restore the tiles and return them to their original state, we have conducted a thorough process of analysis and testing, which has involved the following stages:
- Stage 1: inspection of the area to be treated.
- Stage 2: start of work by applying a specific paint stripper for removing the inks from graffiti.
- Stage 3: gentle rubbing to blend the stripper into the ink and remove it.
- Stage 4: removal of the stripper gel and the inks.
- Stage 5: finish by applying pure acetone to fully remove all the inks.
Process of cleaning inks from the graffiti: stage 1 inspecting the area to be treated in the north-west gallery (left) and stage 2 application of the chosen paint stripper (right), 2017. Source: Project for showcasing the Punta Begoña Galleries
Process of cleaning inks from the graffiti: stage 3 rubbing the surface covered with graffiti inks (left), stage 4 removal of graffiti inks (centre) and stage 5 completing the finish through the application of acetone (right), 2017. Source: Project for showcasing the Punta Begoña Galleries
Photo of the end result in the treated area, 2017. Source: Project for showcasing the Punta Begoña Galleries