Depending on what project you’re working on, specific steps for surface preparation may vary. However, many steps are the same across various use cases. First, it is essential to clean the surface thoroughly. Pressure washers are a good option for effectively cleaning large exterior projects. Then, you must remove loose paint, old caulk and other leftover material by scraping and sanding the surface. For optimal caulking, you and your team want to ensure the surface is clean and smooth.