A method of applying a coating composition to a substrate utilizing a high transfer efficiency applicator include the steps of providing the high transfer efficiency applicator comprising an array of nozzles wherein each nozzle defines a nozzle orifice having a diameter of from 0.00002 m to 0.0004, providing the coating composition, and applying the coating composition to the substrate through the nozzle orifice without atomization such that at least 99.9% of the applied coating composition contacts the substrate to form a coating layer having a wet thickness of at least 5 microns, wherein the coating composition includes a carrier, a binder, and a radar reflective pigment or a LiDAR reflective pigment. The coating composition has an Ohnesorge number (Oh) of from about 0.01 to about 12.6, a Reynolds number (Re) of from about 0.02 to about 6,200, and a Deborah number (De) of from greater than 0 to about 1730.