Methods and apparatus for applying coating materials to articles, using electrogasdynamic apparatus providing a flow channel having a dielectric boundary which has a length-/width ratio of greater than 2.5. Gas containing particulate coating material is ionized to create an electrical discharge field for imparting an electrical charge to the particles prior to passage through the dielectrically bounded flow path and thereby creating a high space charge potential. In special applications, a freeradical forming monomer gas or a fusible particle substance is carried in an inert gas into the electrical discharge field and through the flow channel toward the article to be coated. In any case, the charged particles are subjected to an axial charge repelling field (due to space charge effects) in the flow channel to raise the electrical potential of the particles, and thereby the potential gradient between the particles and the workpiece.