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Thread: canyon graffiti removal

  1. #1

    canyon graffiti removal

    I am brainstorming a fundraising project to raise money for the Coalition of American Canyoneers (CAC) <www.americancanyoneers.org>. We would rent or buy a laser machine to remove graffiti. The laser could be used throughout the US. Do you have experience or know of similar devices?

    <http://ncptt.nps.gov/blog/using-lasers-to-remove-graffiti-from-rock-art-and-rock-imagerypodcast-episode-7/>

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  3. #2

  4. #3
    That's an interesting idea. They used that technique to remove graffiti from some pictographs at Hueco Tanks State Park here in Texas. Here's a video of the show I saw that demonstrated it:
    Part 1 (analysis and spectrography)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36xmtGhyQeM
    Part 2 (in action)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Breh5SCUbg

    I think you'd want to defer to specialists (i.e., archeologists, archivists) to do this kind of work. However, maybe you could change the fundraising to pay for those persons to do it.

  5. #4
    Yes Glenn, we may need to have a specialist. The type and color of paint may determine the type of laser. I have emailed a number of government employees asking for info. We will see.

  6. #5
    Sonny,

    The names of these organizations get more complicated every day.

    Is laser more expensive than sandblasting?

    Which canyons need grafitti removal?

    Bob
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  7. #6
    Interesting premise, hmmm. Let's plan this out!

    Plan A:

    1. Form elite group called the CAC.
    2. Brainstorm ideas.
    3. Develop plan to remove graphitties with a Layzur of doom
    4. Locate special group who is knowledgeable in Layzurs and implement plan to hire them
    5. Plan huge fundraiser to get enough money to pay them for Layzur
    6. Throw fundraiser, auction off awesome goods from Imlay canyon Gearz, like bags to poop in.
    6. Once enough money is raised, hire specialized team to remove canyon desecration.
    7. Remove paint from canyon walls

    Plan B:
    1. Find someone with a sandblaster or buy one off the inturnets for $50ish dollars http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000DD1C4/
    2. Find a volunteer to remove vandalism.
    7. Remove paint from canyon walls.

    I'm starting my own group called CACCA (Coalition of American Canyon Constant Awareness) and we would be very interested to hear how your plan develops. Please keep us updated, woohoo!
    Your safety is not my responsibility.

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  9. #7
    I am been surprised at how difficult it is to remove graffiti in an "acceptable" manner. Any chemical able to remove paint will damage the environment. Sand blasting can damage soft stone. Some land managers do not want to try sand blasting on hard granite in case it might damage the rock. Even if we could use a sand blaster, it needs to be portable to get to the location. Lasers are being used to remove recent graffiti that was applied over ancient Native American pictographs. However it is a tedious process. The machines are likely very expensive. I am in the process of investigating their use. I was hopeful someone in the canyoneering realm was knowledgable about them. There are many canyons in southern California that are steadily acquiring more graffiti. We are a young sport. It is just a matter of time when it will spread around the US.

  10. #8
    I spoke to a conservator who specializes in graffiti removal. It is a very difficult problem.

    Sand blasters can damage the rock irreparably, especially sandstone.

    Chemicals damage the environment. California is particularly controlled with strict volatile organic compound controls. Chemical paint removers can actually make the problem worse. They mobilize the graffiti paint and can allow it to penetrate deeper or spread past the current border. This is especially true on sandstone. So it takes education and experience to remove graffiti without making the problem worse.

    Laser devices can not be rented. They typically cost $25,000. They are fragile, delicate machines that can get knocked out of alignment. They are heat sensitive, not functioning in hotter than about 80 degrees. It needs a cooling device such as a liquid cooling system, requiring a lot of electricity A “portable” laser means it can roll around a lab. Portable lasers for out in the field exist but are not practical. Power for a backpack model might only last 30 minutes during which time only a thin amount of paint could be removed. Hence lasers in the field would need to be close enough to a vehicle to run an electric cord from a generator. The color of the paint or color combinations are critical. Lasers are selective in which colors can be removed. They are very slow. They are primarily designed for fine detail work. They can not cover large surface areas. There are significant safety issues. Special glasses must be worn. A bounced beam can blind a person. Hence there is significant liability in using them.
    Another issue is the land manager. Apparently good-doers have been arrested by the Federal government while trying to cleanup graffiti. They were charged with vandalism. This is because the cleanup can make the problem worse, especially near sensitive archeological sites. Hence it was suggested to first contact the involved land manager before doing any cleanup.

    Unfortunately the idea of laser graffiti removal is not viable. That makes prevention even more important.

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