Abstract: A method is provided for eliminating surface imperfections on a medical device having a drug release coating including a therapeutic substance in a polymeric carrier disposed on at least a portion of the medical device. The medical device is preferably a stent including wire-like members interconnected to form struts with open interstices therebetween. A therapeutic substance incorporate into a polymeric carrier is disposed on the surface of the stent through which process imperfections including polymeric fibers, polymeric particles or other polymeric surface aberrations or imperfections are formed. This imperfections are eliminated by contacting the polymeric coating with a vaporized solvent for a specified period of time.