Fluid Processing & Techniques: Tip Selection, Thinning, and Application by Coating

Fluid Processing & Techniques covers what happens between the bucket and the surface: which tip to run, when and how to thin, and how the method changes with the coating and the job.

  • Tip Selection: Airless spray tip size charts, 515 vs 517, and tip choices for oil-based paint and cabinet finishing.
  • Thinning and Viscosity: Thinning latex paint for an airless sprayer, and handling high-solids and silicone roof coatings.
  • Application by Job Type: Deck staining, drywall finishing, stucco, fireproofing, athletic field marking, and road striping.

Looking for the equipment? Browse our hydraulic airless paint sprayers.

  • Spraying a deck stain with an airless sprayer: the gun travels along the grain, laying stain board by board, between cleaning the deck and flushing the sprayer.

    [2026 Updated] Spraying a Deck Stain: The Complete Professional Guide
    By GUTUBAO Technical Team • 2026-04-14
    When it comes to spraying a deck stain, the process is up to 10X faster than brushing and several times faster than rolling. You will…
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  • Thinning latex paint for airless sprayer use: add water a little at a time, stir, and check that it runs from a viscosity cup in a smooth, unbroken stream, then spray it through the sprayer and hose for an even fan pattern.

    The Ultimate Guide to Thinning Latex Paint for Airless Sprayer
    By GUTUBAO Technical Team • 2026-04-08
    Mastering the process of thinning latex paint for airless sprayer is the secret to achieving a professional, streak-free finish. Whether you handle occasional repaints or…
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  • The ultimate airless spray tip size chart and 3-digit code infographic by GUTUBAO, showing how to read the 517 tip with a physical fan width and orifice macro shot.

    The Ultimate Airless Spray Tip Size Chart: Airless Tip Sizes Explained
    By GUTUBAO Technical Team • 2026-04-04
    The right spray tip selected using a professional airless spray tip size chart is key to achieving a professional finish while saving time, paint, and…
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  • Best airless sprayer for cabinets in a finishing shop: an airless paint sprayer draws white paint from a bucket beside a freshly finished cabinet panel.

    How to Choose the Best Airless Sprayer for Cabinets & Trim
    By GUTUBAO Technical Team • 2026-04-01
    When renovating a kitchen or tackling an interior job, finding the best airless sprayer for cabinets is the single most important decision. Fine finish jobs…
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