A piston or similar cylindrical work piece is wear coated with a liquid coating material comprised of a solid component carried by a volatile solvent. The coating material is applied, from a closed reservoir, by a synchronously rotated distribution roller, to a larger diameter coating roller that is continually heated to a temperature sufficient to remove a majority of the solvent. Simultaneously, the piston workpiece is pre heated to a comparable temperature before being engaged with the coating roller under a relatively high pressure. A series of thin, pre dried layers is applied to the workpiece surface sufficient to produce the a final wear layer of a desired final thickness.