I was shocked and saddened to read about the damage caused by protestors at Stonehenge yesterday – the day before celebrations start for the Summer Solstice. The protestors claimed that the orange powder paint thrown over the sarsen stones was made of cornflour and food colouring and would wash away in the rain. Luckily, according to English Heritage, it has now been removed from the surface using “a specialist handheld blower” but, had the powder landed on a wet surface or come into contact with rain, the outcome could have been much worse. Being around 5,000 years old, and covered in prehistoric markings and lichen, the incident obviously raised great concern.
There was a similar incident at the Chelsea Flower Show last year. The same protestors threw paint at one of the exhibit gardens. Unlike Stonehenge, this caused considerable damage. We were called on to rectify the problem and the solution came in the form of our LTP Solvex intensive cleaner.
Solvex is a powerful, non-caustic cleaner that’s designed to remove paint, wax and silicone, as well as acrylic and polyurethane sealers and residual epoxy grout. Unlike an aggressive chemical which can erode natural stone, Solvex can be used safely on all types of natural stone, including sandstone, travertine, terracotta, slate and quarry tiles. It can also be used on glazed ceramic and porcelain.
To apply Solvex, pour the liquid into a glass or metal container and apply generously – wearing protective gloves – with a brush or by dabbing with a cloth. Work in manageable areas of no more than five square metres and don’t brush out; keep the application generous. Leave the solution for up to 30 minutes, but don’t allow it to dry out. If the surface starts to dry within this timeframe, apply a little more treatment.
This video shows application of LTP Solvex to remove graffiti.
https://youtu.be/mSIJfETHf18
After 30 minutes, use a stiff brush or an abrasive pad to remove the softened coating and repeat the process if any unwanted material remains. Finally, wash down the surface with a dilute solution of LTP Grimex, rinse with plenty of water and leave to dry. We generally recommend sealing the stone or tiles with a suitable treatment after 24 hours, to protect the surface from future damage.
For more advice and demos, browse LTP TV on YouTube or contact the LTP team direct on tel. 01823 666213 or email [email protected]
