metal sheet product , more particularly food or beverage can tab and end stock , is treated with a lubricant blend consisting essentially of about 25 - 90 wt % bissebacate or dos ; about 10 - 75 wt % petrolatum and a balance of incidental additives and impurities prior to coiling for transport and storage . with said composition applied hereon , in preferred average thicknesses between about 10 - 110 mg / ft 2 for aluminum can tab stock and up to about 35 mg / ft 2 for aluminum can end stock , the invention produces prelubricated can stock in a suitable condition for conversion into can tabs and / or can ends without further lubrication .