Tips for Making Your Mural Last

Remove all loose particles or damaged paint surfaces
Clean surface with degreaser, such as TSP mixed with warm water
If there is mold or mildew: scrub with stiff brush and mixture of 1 part bleach, 3–4 parts water. Rinse twice with warm water and let dry completely.
Apply 1–2 coats of primer

Make sure surface is completely dry before starting
If paint needs to be thinned: use mixture of 50% water and 50% varnish. Too much water will weaken the paint film.

Apply varnish to protect your mural from fading, graffiti, and other worries
Do not use Urethane varnish. It is more likely to yellow, and it cannot be painted over.
Acrylic polymers with a layer of wax varnish over the surface work best.

Clean marker or paint within a week or they may become permanent
For small smudges and graffiti:
- use GoofOff or Cleverclean (Test them on a small area first! If any paint runs, don’t use it)
- scrub with scrub brush
- blot with rag
- rinse with water
For larger issues, remove the varnish and reapply:
- Dampen a soft, white, lint-free cloth with mineral spirits (not “odorless”) or turpentine (nothing stronger!). Do not use ketones or paint removers.
- Work horizontally.
- Generously apply mineral spirits and let sit for 15–30 minutes (longer times may be necessary, depending on mural age and mineral spirit strength)
- Rub cloth over one square foot till varnish begins to dissolve
- Use clean cloth and clean solvent over same area to remove residue
- If any paint color shows on the cloth, stop immediately and let the surface dry
- Let mural dry before reapplying varnish

Murals in the sun will fade more quickly
Richly pigmented acrylic paints will last longer
Moisture on the surface (during painting or after) will deteriorate the mural more quickly