Coating line and associated operating method

The invention relates to an operating method for a coating system, particularly for a painting installation, for coating components (2), in particular motor vehicle body parts (2), comprising the steps of: - conveying the components to be coated (2) in a conveying direction by a coating booth by means of a conveyor (3) (1) - coating of the components (2) in the coating booth (1) with a coating agent by means of an application device (17-19) which applies a spray of the coating composition, wherein a portion of the applied coating agent on the components to be coated (2) is deposited, while another portion of the applied coating agent as excess coating agent mist (21) in the cabin interior of the coating booth (1) is floating, and - removing the excess of coating agent mist (21) from the cabin interior, in addition to or in place of that produced by a filter ceiling downward air flow. The invention further comprises a correspondingly formed coating line.