A method for applying a coating to a substrate surface is provided. The method involves cold spraying a coating material against the surface of the substrate at a first velocity. The first velocity is lower in magnitude than a critical velocity. The method also involves cold spraying the coating material against the surface of the substrate at a second velocity. The second velocity is greater in magnitude than the critical velocity. The critical velocity is a threshold velocity below which the coating material is substantially deflected by the surface of the substrate and above which the coating material substantially adheres to the surface of the substrate.