Your Mural Is Art—Here's How to Protect It
Once your mural is complete, keeping it in great condition is a shared responsibility.
We've built your artwork to last, but how you care for it makes all the difference.
What's Your Responsibility as the Owner?
Your mural care includes:
Keep the mural area reasonably clean and free from debris
Prevent unnecessary scraping, scuffing, or hard contact
Don't attach signage, tape, fixtures, or decorations to the mural surface
Avoid pressure washing or chemical cleaning unless you've checked with us first
Let us know right away if you spot damage, cracking, water leaks, or graffiti
Keep the wall environment healthy (monitor for leaks, drainage issues, or wall movement)
Safe Cleaning Methods
Think "gentle" when it comes to your mural.
Safe to use:
Soft dry cloth
Soft microfiber cloth
Light dusting
Spot cleaning only when necessary
**Do NOT use** (without checking with us first):
- Pressure washers or power washers
- Abrasive pads or scrub brushes
- Harsh chemicals, solvents, bleach, or degreasers
- Scraping tools
Aggressive cleaning can permanently damage your mural.
What's Normal Over Time?
Murals are durable, but they do change. Outdoor murals especially will show some wear:
- Gradual fading (especially if exposed to direct sun)
- Minor surface wear from weather
- Slight dulling from environmental exposure
- Dust or debris accumulation
- Changes tied to how the wall itself ages
**These are not signs of poor workmanship.** They're part of how outdoor art evolves.
Watch for These Building Issues
If your building has problems, your mural can suffer too. Keep an eye out for:
- Active water leaks or intrusion
- Wall cracks or structural movement
- Bubbling, peeling, or flaking paint (may signal a building issue)
- Efflorescence (white powdery coating on brick)
If you spot any of these, **document with photos and contact us.**
Building failures aren't something we can fix as part of normal maintenance.
What to Do if You See Graffiti or Vandalism
1. **Take photos immediately** to document the damage
2. **Don't try aggressive cleaning** on your own
3. **Contact us** so we can assess what happened and discuss repair options
Graffiti removal depends on:
- Whether your mural has a protective coating
- What kind of marker or paint was used
- How long ago the mural was installed
Removal or restoration is typically a separate service unless you have a maintenance agreement with us.
Do You Need Touch-Ups?
Touch-ups aren't automatically included after installation, but we can help.
You might want touch-ups if:
- There's isolated damage from a contractor or tenant
- You want a preventative refresh
- Graffiti removal left marks
- You'd like localized color refreshing
**Just ask us.** We'll evaluate the scope, confirm artist availability if needed, and give you pricing.
Tips for Long-Term Preservation
- Reduce direct contact and friction where possible
- Manage landscaping and irrigation so water doesn't run directly on the mural
- Brief your maintenance teams that this is artwork, not a standard painted wall
- Keep the project documentation (coatings, materials, artist info) for your files
Owner Notice Language (Optional)
You may want to post something like this near your mural:
> This mural is an original commissioned artwork and should not be treated as a standard painted wall.
> Cleaning, maintenance, touch-ups, or repairs should be approached carefully to avoid unintended damage.
> Contact WXLLSPACE before using aggressive cleaning methods or authorizing any modifications to the mural surface.
Questions?
If you're unsure about cleaning, repairs, or maintenance, reach out.
We're here to help you keep your mural looking great.