a method and apparatus for applying a coat mix to a high - speed running board or paper web by accurately premetering and pre - smoothing the applied coat with an applicator apparatus and then minimally doctoring the applied coat with an air knife . the applicator apparatus has a narrow slot - orifice extending in a cross - machine direction for facilitating high - speed laminar flow of coating mix into a gap region defined by confronting surfaces of the applicator apparatus and the web . the applicator apparatus has a member for directing the ejected coating mix in the gap region in a direction reverse to a travel direction of the web so that only a predetermined portion of the ejected coating mix is allowed to form an applied coat on the web . this accurate premetering of the coating mix by the applicator apparatus permits an operator to readily optimize the subsequent process of doctoring the applied coating with an air knife .