Graffiti With Wool?

Always remember... you saw it here first.

The phenomenon is known as "yarn bombing" and it has been used so far for everything from wrapping buses to knitting sweaters for trees. Cute?Clever?Creative? Certainly all of that, but more importantly easy to remove without harming the environment. Moreover the removed yarn is 100% recyclable.

One disconcerting note - the article mentions the use of wool graffiti to make covers for stop signs. Obviously this is dangerous for drivers and pedestrians alike and should subject the "artist" to criminal sanction.

With the above exception this is one form of graffiti that I can't find a reason to dislike. If only the gang bangers would swap their guns for knitting needles.

For more info about this bizarre art form click here Yarn Bombing

DTagr

Graffiti Crackdown in Yucaipa

An ordinance approved Monday evening that cracks down on graffiti crimes includes $1,000 fines, rewards, a volunteer "graffiti buster" crew to clean up the messes and a sophisticated surveillance system that police believe will lead to more search warrants and arrests.

"The civil penalty can be as high as $1,000 for each act of graffiti vandalism, which means, for example, that a tagger who is found guilty of placing five tags can be fined $5,000," said John McMains, Yucaipa's community development director. "If he or she is a minor, the parents will become responsible for payment of the civil penalty."

Mayor Dick Riddell said the ordinance will give Yucaipa more muscle by making tagging both a misdemeanor and a municipal code violation, allowing the city to impose substantial civil penalties.

Several recent outbreaks of graffiti vandalism on public and private property prompted the ordinance, city officials said.

Graffiti on Glass:Scratch and Etch Repair.

The first thing I have to say about graffiti on glass is:

Don't Touch It!!

A type of acid called hydroflouric is the main ingredient for this type of damage-causing graffiti. Hydroflouric acid will cause severe burns to skin from even the smallest contact. It is a most potent acid. As soon as it is discovered call a professional to deal with this type of damage.

The first step to dealing with this dangerous substance is to neutralize the acid by donning protective gloves and washing away with water or baking soda water.

Next a professional examines the damage and determines if the pane can be repaired or must be replaced. If repair is possible the business owner has just saved a substantial sum of money. An acid or a scratch repair can improve the glass to a nearly new status for a mere fraction of the replacement cost, typically 30%-50%.

Depending on the system used, deep scratches up to 0.015 inches may be repaired. Scratches of this depth will typically catch a fingernail if gently rubbed across the damaged area.

To sum up, graffiti on glass may be dangerous. Call a professional immediately, they are trained to minimize the risks associated with this potentially harmful damage.

Stay tuned for my review of the Scratch Hog.