Graffiti fighter

"I call this the Miracle Stain," says Wasatch Constructor’s contract administrator, Bill Saumier, who is also charged with being the company’s advocate for project aesthetics. “You can cover over any graffiti with just two coats without having to sandblast it off. You can apply up to 50 coats before you need to sandblast, up to 3 mil thickness.” And eliminating sandblasting saves time, labor and further damage to concrete surfaces, he adds.

"In fact,” says Saumier, “we have a potential change order now to put this H&C Stain on the abutments and wing walls, in some shade of gray still being determined, to blend with the unstained bridges in the area. It allows the concrete to breathe, which lets moisture escape and prevents the retaining walls from deteriorating as quickly.” His opinion: All states should consider the product as an affordable graffiti-fighting measure, especially as design/build becomes more prevalent.

The concrete painting contractor was Scott Derr Painting of Webster, TX. For the concrete part of the work, says Scott Derr, Sherwin-Williams was chosen as the sole supplier to ensure overall consistency of appearance. To protect the bridges from salt damage, the concrete in splash zones was first prepped with the Sherwin-Williams HB 150, which Derr notes can go either over or under the color coat. Then, two coats of stain were applied to concrete areas such as retaining walls, barriers, slope paving, columns and exterior girders.