Coating compositions and methods for application utilizing a high transfer efficiency applicator

Methods and coating compositions for application to a substrate utilizing a high transfer efficiency applicator are provided. An exemplary method includes providing the coating composition to the high transfer efficiency applicator; applying the coating composition onto the substrate utilizing a high transfer efficiency applicator to form an applied layer, wherein a loss of volatiles after application through the high transfer efficiency applicator is less than about 1 weight percent based on a total weight of the coating composition; performing a partial polymerization via radiation of the applied layer; and after performing the partial polymerization of the applied layer, thermally curing and drying the applied layer. An exemplary coating composition has a pre-application viscosity, at a shear rate of 1000 s−1, of less than about 100 centipoise (cP), and a post-radiation-exposure viscosity at a shear rate of 0.1 s−1 of from about 500 cP to about 150,000 cP.