Electrostatic coating apparatus

An electrostatic coating apparatus comprising:

• a paint atomizing means including of an air motor and a rotary atomizing head rotatably mounted on a front side of said air motor and adapted to spray paint supplied to said rotary atomizing head toward a work piece;
• a housing member including an insulating material and configured to accommodate said air motor and to hold said paint atomizing means in position;
• an external electrode assembly located on an outer peripheral side of said housing member;
• and
• a high voltage application means for applying a high voltage to said external electrode assembly to indirectly electrify sprayed paint particles from said rotary atomizing head with high voltage electrostatic charge, wherein,
• said external electrode assembly includes support arms extended radially outward from said housing member, electrode support members disposed at outer ends of said support arms and extended forward from said support arms such that respective fore distal ends of said electrode support members are located around said rotary atomizing head, and acicular electrode members disposed at respective fore distal ends of said electrode support members,
• a tubular cover member formed by an insulating material and arranged to cover outer surfaces of said electrode support members, and
• an annular gap space of an annular shape in cross section disposed between and around radially confronting areas of said electrode support members and said cover member.