A method of applying a coating composition to a surface of an automobile component in a pattern utilizing a non-contact deposition applicator to increase edge acuity and resolution of the coating composition in the pattern, said method comprising the steps of: A. providing the automobile component having the surface that comprises a non-porous polymer; B. applying a surface treatment to the surface in a pattern to form a patterned surface that has increased surface energy as compared to the non-surface treated surface; C. providing the coating composition comprising a carrier and a binder; D. providing the non-contact deposition applicator comprising a nozzle; E. applying the coating composition to the patterned surface through the nozzle to selectively wet the patterned surface and form a coating layer disposed in the pattern and having increased edge acuity and resolution, wherein the coating layer has a wet thickness of at least 15 micrometers as applied, and further wherein either: the non-porous polymer is a baked clear coat and the coating composition is a wet solvent-borne topcoat composition; the non-porous polymer is a dry water-borne basecoat composition and the coating composition is a wet second water-borne basecoat composition; the non-porous polymer is a wet water-borne basecoat composition and the coating composition is a wet second water-borne basecoat composition; or, the non-porous polymer is a wet solvent-borne basecoat composition and the coating composition is a wet second solvent-borne basecoat composition. A. providing the automobile component having the surface that comprises a non-porous polymer; B. applying a surface treatment to the surface in a pattern to form a patterned surface that has increased surface energy as compared to the non-surface treated surface; C. providing the coating composition comprising a carrier and a binder; D. providing the non-contact deposition applicator comprising a nozzle; E. applying the coating composition to the patterned surface through the nozzle to selectively wet the patterned surface and form a coating layer disposed in the pattern and having increased edge acuity and resolution, wherein the coating layer has a wet thickness of at least 15 micrometers as applied, and further wherein either: the non-porous polymer is a baked clear coat and the coating composition is a wet solvent-borne topcoat composition; the non-porous polymer is a dry water-borne basecoat composition and the coating composition is a wet second water-borne basecoat composition; the non-porous polymer is a wet water-borne basecoat composition and the coating composition is a wet second water-borne basecoat composition; or, the non-porous polymer is a wet solvent-borne basecoat composition and the coating composition is a wet second solvent-borne basecoat composition. the non-porous polymer is a baked clear coat and the coating composition is a wet solvent-borne topcoat composition; the non-porous polymer is a dry water-borne basecoat composition and the coating composition is a wet second water-borne basecoat composition; the non-porous polymer is a wet water-borne basecoat composition and the coating composition is a wet second water-borne basecoat composition; or, the non-porous polymer is a wet solvent-borne basecoat composition and the coating composition is a wet second solvent-borne basecoat composition.