METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COATING A DECORATIVE WORKPIECE
A method and apparatus is provided for applying a plaster-like coating material to the decorative exposed surface of a preform workpiece (12). The apparatus comprises: means (26, 28) for mechanically advancing a workpiece (12) along the apparatus along a straight horizontal axis over a non-continuous surface (24); means (32, 34, 38, 40, 42) for engaging the bottom portion of a workpiece (12) to constrain lateral and vertical movement as the workpiece (12) passes along the apparatus; and means (46) for applying a desired thickness of plaster-like coating material (52) to a decorative surface of an advancing workpiece (12). Both the method an apparatus provide on a consistent basis, a smooth coating with a controlled thickness tightly bonded to the entire exposed decorative surface of a workpiece. The method and apparatus provide a simple, efficient, cost effective and reliable means for applying a plaster-like coating to the exposed decorative surface of a workpiece for use on a commercial scale in the construction industry.