Criteria to Consider Before Selecting a Barrier Coating as the Primary Protective Means of Combating Graffiti

What to look for in a Barrier Coating:

• Water-vapor permeable, or "breathable".
• "Invisible" without gloss or sheen, when applied to masonry.
• No change in appearance from uncoated areas when masonry is wet.
• Does not discolor or attract dirt.
• Weathers evenly.

Questions to Ask:

• Will the coating last long enough to offset its cost?
• Will the application and reapplication of the coating be cost effective?
• Will the coating be effective against more than one type of graffiti?
• Can the coating be completely and thoroughly removed, so that, if necessary, paint, or another coating will adhere to the masonry surface?
• Will the building ever need to be repointed or patched? A barrier coating may make this difficult or even impossible.

Before Application:

• Seek advice of an architectural conservator.
• Test coating on an inconspicuous area of masonry, or study the success/failure of the coating in other locations where it has been used.