Abstract: A method of coating an article comprising passing a coating material adjacent to a plurality of conductors connected to a high voltage source whereby to electrostatically charge the material and wherein each of the conductors is connected to said source through an impedance adapted to resist reduction of charge on a conductor relatively remote from an articles to be coated in consequence of reduction of charge on a conductor relatively adjacent to said article to be coated. The coating material may be supplied from a powder dispensing and metering device comprising a powder reservoir, a rotor mounted for rotation at the base of the reservoir and an air inlet adjacent the rotor through which air is drawn in use to mix with powder during rotation of the rotor to draw a powder-air mixture away from the reservoir.