You Ask, Patch Answers: Can Teflon Paint Cover Graffiti?

“You Ask ... Patch Answers,” is our Sunday feature where we strive to find answers to all your questions—big, small and in-between—about the town we live and work in.

Whether it’s something you’ve always wondered about, some information you just can’t put your hands on or a sudden curiosity, we want to hear it.

Send your queries to sheila.sanchez@patch.com or leave them in the comments section below, and I will do my best to dig up an answer for you. You also can call me at 408-391-8725.

Question from reader: "What kind of paint is Caltrans using to cover up graffiti tags? I wonder about Teflon coatings. Teflon coated with soap - the paint washes right off. If graffiti artists would use soap-based window paints, they could redo their 'art' after every rain?"

Caltrans spokesman Bernard Walik said his agency uses recycled latex-based paint from various manufacturers to cover up graffiti tags.

"We have not had good experiences with coatings or additives to the paint so graffiti will wash off," he said, adding that the cleaup is complicated because of the storm water issue. 

Only rain water is allowed to go down the drain, he explained. "You would have to capture all your rinse water. As far as the type of paint the vandals are using,  we don't have any control over that, but keep in mind you would still have the run off issues," he said.