Abstract: In a method for drying coating films on coated components, microwaves are generated by at least one magnetron (3A) in at least one microwave generator module (3) and introduced into a drying chamber (2A) through one or more waveguides (4). Air or another gas is blown from a blower (5) into the drying chamber (2A). An additive agent comprising a dipolar or polarizable molecular composition is mixed into the gas to form a gas mixture within the drying chamber (2A). The coated components (9) are placed into the drying chamber (2A) in a batch or continuous flow-through process. The microwave energy vibrationally excites and heats the additive agent in the gas mixture, which in turn heats the coating film (9') on the components (9). Alternatively, the additive agent may be mixed or applied directly in the coating film substance, so as to achieve direct heating of the coating film, or so as to evaporate from the coating film into the gas to form the gas mixture.