An apparatus and method for applying a coating composition to a stent. A mandrel for supporting the stent has one or more drive pins and other supporting structure that loosely supports the stent, in an unstable position. The support permits freedom of movement of the stent relative to the mandrel to cause the stent to frequently re-position itself over the mandrel during a spraying process. When a coating composition is applied, the stent randomly or periodically moves about relative to the mandrel due to intermittent contact between the stent and the rotating mandrel and fluidic forces applied through the sprayed coating composition.