01 / REQUEST
Address, photos and context
The process starts with a full view of the building, a close-up of the graffiti, the address and known property details. This avoids estimating from a vague description.
Graffiti removal · Montreal & Greater Montreal
Graffiti removal process
Graffiti removal process from the request to the service.
A good process starts with the surface, pigment, access and actual condition of the property. The method comes next. GraffitiMobile structures each request as a job to understand before deciding how to proceed.
Request a quote
Address + photos.
The process starts before arriving on site.
The process starts before arriving on site.
01
REQUESTAddress + photos
02
SURFACEMaterial + finish
03
CONTEXTAccess + constraints
04
SERVICEAppropriate method
05
CLOSEOUTVerification + documentation
Controlled process
The method is not the starting point. It follows from what the job reveals.
Job assessment
Before service
LocationAddress
SurfaceSurface
GraffitiPigment
ContextAccess
The full process
From the first message to job closeout.
The steps remain consistent, but their importance varies depending on the surface, building and difficulty of the graffiti.
02 / SURFACE
Identify the material and finish
The surface is the main variable. Porous brick, painted concrete, plexiglass, weathered stone and a metal door do not tolerate the same products, abrasion or intensity.
03 / CONSTRAINTS
Assess access and surrounding materials
Graffiti does not exist in isolation. Sidewalks, doors, joints, windows, signs, vegetation, vehicles, ramps, loading docks and adjacent materials can affect how the service is organized.
04 / METHOD
Choose an appropriate approach
The method is selected according to the surface, pigment and condition. When a localized test is useful, it helps observe the reaction before extending the service.
05 / SERVICE
Work in controlled passes
Rather than assuming that “stronger” is better, the service progresses according to the actual reaction of the graffiti and surface. The priority remains removing the marking without creating a new, more visible imperfection.
06 / VERIFICATION
Evaluate the surface, not just the colour
An area can look clean while still being lighter, duller, rougher or different from the rest. Final verification therefore considers the entire surface, not just whether the pigment disappeared.
07 / DOCUMENTATION
Close the job clearly
For managed properties and commercial work, clear documentation helps maintain a site history, track incidents and compare results if graffiti returns.
Same process. Different decisions.
The surface determines the margin for error.
The main steps stay the same, but the level of caution and what needs to be watched can change significantly from one material to another.
01Brick & masonryPorosity, mortar joints, colour, brick condition and pigment absorption.
02Concrete & foundation wallsTexture, density, paint, cracks, ground access and large walls.
03StonePatina, porosity, grain, mortar joints and architectural value of the material.
04Glass & plexiglassGlass vs acrylic, films, scratches, etching and sensitivity to abrasion.
05WoodGrain, fibres, paint, stain, sealer and ageing.
06Metal & commercial doorsPaint, coating, oxidation, finish and adjacent materials.
07Aluminum & vinyl sidingCladding, panels, finish, deformation and siding condition.
Pass 01 · initial reactionobserve
Pass 02 · adjustmentcompare
Pass 03 · useful limitassess
Progression principle
The right limit is where the graffiti can still be improved without unnecessarily degrading the surface.
Why work progressively
The surface reaction provides the most important information.
A method may be theoretically compatible yet still create visible contrast on an aged, painted or already weakened surface. Observation during the service therefore matters just as much as the initial choice.
Observe before going further
If the pigment is coming off but the finish begins to change, the decision needs to be reassessed.
Compare with the surrounding area
A localized service should remain visually consistent with the rest of the facade or panel.
Accept the material’s limits
A faint residual mark can sometimes be preferable to a bleached, dull, eroded or stripped area.
Adapt to the actual job
Graffiti size, the apparent age of the marking and access also affect how the work progresses.
What the process avoids
Speed does not replace assessment.
A serious approach does not rely on a universal promise. It relies on decisions proportional to the surface.
No one-size-fits-all formula
The same method is not blindly applied to brick, plexiglass, stone and wood.
No “100% invisible” promise before assessment
A porous, painted, etched or already altered surface can impose a realistic limit on the result.
No maximum force by default
More pressure, more abrasion or more aggressive treatment do not automatically mean a better result.
Do not assess the graffiti without assessing the wall
Existing paint, joints, films, patina, fibres, cracks and adjacent materials are part of the assessment.
From one-time job to property portfolio
The same process should remain clear as the number of locations grows.
For a property manager, a good process is not only about cleaning. It is also about the quality of information flowing between the incident, address, surface and job closeout.
01One-time incidentOne property · one service
02Multiple locationsOne portfolio · multiple areas
03Mixed surfacesBrick · concrete · glass · metal
04Recurring needHistory · comparison · follow-up
Factors that change the result
Two graffiti incidents of the same size can be two completely different jobs.
Square footage does not explain everything. The real difficulty often comes from the surface, its condition and the surrounding context.
01Pigment typePaint, marker and other products do not adhere in the same way.
02Apparent age of the graffitiTime, exposure and multiple layers can change the difficulty.
03PorosityPigment may remain on the surface or penetrate more deeply depending on the material.
04Existing finishPaint, stain, sealer, film or patina become important variables.
05Surface conditionCracks, flaking, fibres, corrosion or wear can limit the service.
06AccessHeight, sidewalk, parking, loading dock, courtyard or restricted space can affect the setup.
07EnvironmentTemperature, humidity, exposure and adjacent materials can affect working conditions.
Start the process
Send the request. The assessment starts with what you can see.
Address, photos, property type and affected surface provide enough information to get started properly.
AddressTo confirm the service area and understand the building context.
Full viewTo see the size, height and access.
Close-upTo assess the pigment, texture and visible condition.
SurfaceIf you know it; otherwise the photos will help identify it.
GraffitiMobile · Request
Have the graffiti assessed
One form for one property, multiple locations or a recurring need.
Recommended photos:
a full view, a close-up of the graffiti and a clear photo of the surrounding surface.
FAQ · process
Frequently asked questions about how graffiti is assessed and treated.
What is the first step in removing graffiti?
The first step is understanding the job: address, photos, property type, affected surface and visible access conditions. The method comes after the surface assessment.
Do you use the same method on every surface?
No. Brick, concrete, stone, glass, plexiglass, wood and metal have different constraints in terms of porosity, finish, sensitivity and durability.
Do you always perform a test before the service?
A localized test can be useful when the surface, finish or material reaction should be observed before extending the service. It is not necessarily relevant in every situation.
Why not simply use more pressure?
Because a more aggressive action can alter the texture, finish, patina, paint or fibres of some surfaces. The level of treatment needs to be adapted to the material.
How do you know when to stop?
The result is compared with the condition of the surrounding surface. If continuing risks creating a difference more visible than the residual mark, the material’s limit becomes part of the decision.
Can all graffiti be removed 100%?
No, that cannot be promised before assessment. Pigment can penetrate a porous material, graffiti can be etched into glass or a surface may already be altered.
Do you document the work?
For jobs where it is relevant, especially in commercial or property-management contexts, before-and-after photos and site information can help maintain a clear history.
Does the process change for multiple properties?
The logic remains the same: address, photos, surface and context for each incident. The structure becomes especially useful when a property manager oversees multiple sites.
What areas do you serve?
GraffitiMobile assesses requests in Montreal, Laval, the North Shore and South Shore. The exact address confirms the service area.
The process starts with the request
Show the graffiti. Show the surface. The rest comes after.
Address, photos, surface and property context. That is enough to begin a serious assessment. Also see the services, the service areas or anti-graffiti protection.
Request a quote
No phone call required to get started.