Ask the Expert Question-and-Answer Archive

by Ron Joseph

May, 2005

Anti-Graffiti Coating

Q. Recently a Children's Museum I do business with aquired an acrylic painted mural on canvas. The mural is installed but now the Museum is concerned about small children writing on it with crayons or markers. They have suggested covering it with an acrylic panel. I am concerned that the panel may bond to the paint over time, creating an even bigger problem. It has also been suggested that a graffitti abatement coating be applied over the painting. Your thoughts?

A. I agree with you and suggest that you apply an anti-graffiti coating to the mural. You can locate a range of such coatings online, but I am not in a position to advise if one formulation is better than another.

Before you apply the anti-graffiti coating, I suggest that you first experiment on a small section of the mural where nobody is likely to see it. Check for adhesion between the coating and the mural and experiment with writing or spray painting over the coatings after it has thoroughly cured.

Best wishes,

Ron Joseph