This disclosure depicts improved method and apparatus for automatically processing front panels of cathode ray tubes in a continuous step-by-step fashion including spraying a lacquer coating onto a phosphor coating on the panels. The front panels are loaded in a front-side-up attitude onto an annular endless conveyor which is stepped around a plurality of discrete work stations disposed around the perimeter of the conveyor, each of the work stations being adapted to perform at least one predetermined operation on the panels. Lacquer applicator means is situated in at least one of said work stations for applying a lacquer coating on the panels. Enclosure means are provided for enclosing the lacquer applicator and associated drying stations to prevent escape of lacquer vapors to the environment. Vertically movable shroud means are provided at the lacquer application station for enshrouding the panels during the lacquer applying operation to minimize air currents which might disturb the surface of the wet lacquer coating.