Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for removing electrostatically bonded powder coating material from a non-recessed region of a surface of a workpiece without removing powder coating material from a recessed region of the surface of the workpiece. The present invention employs a powder coating removal apparatus for removing the powder coating material from the non-recessed region. The powder coating removal apparatus comprises a rotatable drum including a hollow cylindrical portion having a plurality of openings therein. A plurality of elastic bands are connected to opposite end portions of the drum and serve to frictionally engage and agitate the powder coating material on the non-recessed region of the surface, thereby overcoming the electrostatic bond between the non-recessed region and the powder coating material thereon.