a method an apparatus are provided for imparting a sliding capacity to a wire which is fed through at least one loop of a strand of material which has been steeped in a lubricant such as paraffin or wax . preferably , the strand of material is advanced at a speed which is less than the feed speed of the wire . the apparatus includes means for feeding the wire and means for advancing the strand of material around the wire . the apparatus also includes a compensating device which adjusts the tension of the strand of material and a checking device for automatically checking the lubricating operation .