Abstract: To reduce solvent wastage and the risk of pollution and explosions, articles to be surface coated (sprayed, flow coated or dip coated) are transported through a coating station disposed in a closed chamber having long inlet and outlet passages having the outline of said articles. Condensing regions are provided on opposite sides of the coating station to condense solvent vapor in the chamber. The arrangement in the chamber is such that the atmosphere is substantially saturated with solvent, the oxygen level is maintained below a predetermined level and only a small pressure difference is maintained between the pressures inside and outside the chamber to minimize escape of vapor.