How to Get Graffiti Off a Fence

Wood

• 1

  Put on a pair of rubber gloves. Pour acetone onto a large white rag. Pour the acetone liberally until the rag is almost soaked.

• 2

  Wipe the rag down the wood fence. Apply the acetone to all areas of the graffiti and allow it to soak in the wood for about five minutes.

• 3

  Apply more acetone to a clean rag and wipe down the surface of the wood, wiping off the graffiti. Use a fresh clean spot on the rag for each wipe to avoid applying additional paint to the fence. When this rag is covered in paint, get a fresh rag to continue to wipe off the graffiti.

• 4

  Use sandpaper to remove graffiti that the acetone won't remove. Continue to wipe the sandpaper on the wood until the graffiti is gone.

• 5

  Rinse the fence with water to remove the paint solvent and sandpaper grit.

Vinyl

• 6

  Hose down the vinyl fence immediately after you discover the graffiti. Your chances of removing the graffiti are greater in the first 24 hours. A power sprayer is a better option than a garden hose because the force of the power sprayer will aid in removal.

• 7

  Pour lacquer thinner on a clean rag. Rub the lacquer thinner onto the fence then immediately wipe the lacquer thinner off with a wet rag. The product may remove some of the vinyl making it important to not leave it on too long. Continue wiping the solvent to remove the graffiti, then immediately remove the solvent with a wet rag.

• 8

  Rinse the fence with water to remove all traces of solvent.

• 9

  Paint over the graffiti if the solvent isn't working or if it appears to be ruining your fence. Several coats of outdoor paint should cover the graffiti. Use the same color that is on the fence or paint the whole fence to make it an even color.