ublic works department offi-cials in Brentwood, CA, knewit was inevitable. Whateverstructure they decided to erectaround their new hillside reser-

voir, they anticipated taggers wouldchoose to use it as a highly visible bill-board or platform to exhibit their graffi-ti “art” talents.

But this simply has not happened toBrentwood. Thanks to the foresight andinitiatives of city engineers, graffiti isnot the costly and unsightly problem itonce was, or could be. They knew thatheavy fines, neighborhood watches, andpatrolling were not the answer. Rather,they discovered that invisible, high-slip,chemical resistant coatings formulatedto be applied on nearly any type of sur-face or structure are both effective and adeterrent. Further, Brentwood learned

that they can now graffiti-proof new orexisting structures with high-perform-ance, highly fluorinated, and durableclear gloss coatings that really work, andlast.

Today, with minimal maintenanceand using standard cleaners, any and allgraffiti applied to the architectural rockwall facade around the Brentwood reser-voir is quickly and easily removed. Thegraffiti proofing products are providedby SEI Chemical (www.seichemical.com).

“We were skeptical at first aboutusing any sort of product on the naturallooking man-made rock wall encom-passing the new city water reservoir,”admits Paul Eldredge, BrentwoodAssistant Director of Public Works.“After spending a considerable amountof time researching the product and

conversing with SEI officials, the citydecided to try the new product, assuringus it would not affect the appearance ofthe ‘natural-looking’ surface. Further,they noted the coating was long-lasting,and relatively easy to clean even if van-dals managed to get the graffiti toadhere to the multi-colored concretesurface of the structure.”

To the city’s amazement, a one-timespray of the GPA-200 (Graffiti ProoferAnti-Stick) has lasted into its secondyear. “When taggers do manage to beeven remotely successful,” notesEldredge, “we simply go back and wipeoff the paint or marker with an environ-mentally-safe cleaner. The graffitiproofer has exceeded our expectations,owing to its ease of application—we justsprayed it on, and enjoy its easy clean-off when taggers do try.

“We looked at alternatives to the graf-fiti situation,” recalls Eldredge, “and sawit as a pay now or pay later situation.Articles we saw in leading journals onthe success of SEI anti-graffiti formula-tions presented us with a possible solu-tion. Another success story, for example,has been the application of coatings tothe Alameda Corridor transportationmotorway and railway between LongBeach and Los Angeles.

“But even when we did decide to gowith the graffiti proofer coating,” contin-ues the Brentwood spokesman, “weanticipated having to apply the initialcoating and then re-apply the coating ona periodic basis. Added to this was theinevitable cleaning when taggers did getthrough. We saw this as an expensive, rig-orous, and a never-ending task. In thatthe coatings make it difficult or impossi-

PMaintaining the integrity and beauty of a reservoir wall.

32 ■ GOVERNMENT ENGINEERING ■ JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2008 www.govengr.com

Graffiti Proofer Anti-Stick from SEI Chemical was applied to the rock facade surroundingBrentwood’s new water tank in a one-time spray.

Coating KeepsDecorative FacadeGraffiti-Free

Coating KeepsDecorative FacadeGraffiti-Free

ble for graffiti materials to stick, the wordis obviously out and graffiti is at a mini-mum at the present time. When itappears, graffiti is quickly removed.”

A few short years ago, SEI Chemicaltook on the graffiti challenge by formu-lating several distinct types of graffitideterrent coatings. The reason? Special

formulations are required for differentmaterials (smooth or porous) to makepaint, lacquers, enamels, and adhesives“crawl” together and run off the surface,thus deterring the vandalism from con-tinuing. Or, in the event a tagger suc-cessfully applies a nominal amount ofpaint, marker, or other product, the

graffiti can be easily removed withremover products.

To Brentwood residents living andworking near the new reservoir andpassers-by on the Highway 4 Bypass,not only is the reservoir hidden, butthe attractive facade remains graffiti-free.

www.govengr.com GOVERNMENT ENGINEERING ■ JANUARY–FEBRUARY 2008 ■ 33

GE

When taggers are successful, annoying graffiti is simply wipedaway.

The rock facade remains graffiti-free to this day due to the easyapplication of the anti-graffiti spray, as well as the simplicity ofgraffiti removal.