The present article focuses on a comparison between cleaning process of graffitis on urban buildings by using laser radiation at 308 nm (XeCl excimer laser) and 1064 nm (Nd:YAG laser). Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) elemental analysis was applied as real-time diagnostic technique, safeguarding against possible damage of the substrate during ablation rate studies. The morphological analysis of the etched surfaces by optical microscopy and environmental scanning electron microscopy reveals remarkable features of interest to understand the wavelength dependence of the ablation efficiency. The ablation threshold fluences of different paints sprayed on several substrates were determined applying a photoacoustic technique. To remove graffitis from urban buildings the laser radiation at 1064 nm was observed to be the most efficient wavelength, supporting the best result. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.