Atomizer and method for coating a surface with an electrostatically charged coating material

is proposed, inter alia, an atomizer (1) for coating a surface (2a) with an electrostatically charged coating material (3), in particular a liquid or powder paint, with a sprayer (4), with a same associated spray element (5) for said coating material (3) leading to at least one steering air (9) pipe (10a, 10b, 10c) and at least one ionizing apparatus (11) for the electrostatic charging of the coating material (3). the at least one ionizing apparatus (11) within the at least one steering air (9) carrying line (10a, 10b, 10c) is advantageously arranged or integral part of said shaping air (9) carrying line (10a, 10b, 10c).