Due to the frequent rains and high level of humidity, older porous concrete is particularly susceptible to mold and mildew and over the years Olmos dam has been a frequent target for graffiti vandalism.

This is why The City of San Antonio was looking for answers on the best possible way to preserve and protect the dam walls and consulted with PPG Architectural team to find a suitable solution.

Maintaining Essential Infrastructure

The ultimate objective was to preserve the natural appearance of the concrete rather than give it a sheen that could yellow, peel or crack with exposure to weather and UV. With this knowledge, PPG advised them of 4G Surface Guard which works by penetrating porous mineral surfaces producing a hydrophobic and oleophobic surface that resists grime and graffiti and yields long-term preservation.

In this case, to enhance the results and make it easy to remove graffiti using hot water alone, the city has chosen to use World's Best Graffiti Coating as a final finish. This paraffin wax emulsion is film-forming but remains flexible allowing walls to breathe and is a natural finish.

The great advantage of using these products together is that any subsequent graffiti can be quickly and easily removed using hot water alone.

Application is quick and easy and the quick coverage rates and forgiving matte finish give them an economic advantage over other sealers, especially for infrastructure projects like this where the coating is to be applied up to a height without any visible difference where it stops.