The Role of Pressure Washing in Exterior Painting Before applying any paint, the surface must be clean and free of dirt, mold, mildew, and loose paint. These contaminants prevent paint from adhering properly. Pressure washing services use high-powered water jets to remove these layers effectively, preparing the surface for paint. Without proper cleaning before paint, the new coat will struggle to stick, leading to bubbling or flaking soon after application. Pressure washing a