Abstract: A process for cleaning a wire or the outer surface of a tube using one or more textile or textile-like material strands that runs substantially parallel, but opposite, to the direction of travel of the wire or tube, that may contain at least one cleaning material, and that are arranged to run in the form of at least one loop lying on the wire or tube, characterized in that the speed and the tension of the textile or textile-like material strand is adjusted and regulated.

Abstract: A process for cleaning a wire or the outer surface of a tube using one or more textile or textile-like material strands that runs substantially parallel, but opposite, to the direction of travel of the wire or tube, that may contain at least one cleaning material, and that are arranged to run in the form of at least one loop lying on the wire or tube, characterized in that the speed and the tension of the textile or textile-like material strand is adjusted and regulated.

Abstract: 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.