Abstract: Oil is delivered by a single pumping means to an application header which extends across the path of movement of an electrically grounded metal strip requiring oiling. A perforated plate within the header divides it into two chambers and forms a diffuser between the two chambers to assure an even distribution of oil in the chamber which receives its oil by passage through the diffuser. The perforated plate also forms a charging electrode for oil filling the header and serves a third purpose in that it is a final filter for the oil passing through the header. The header has oil delivery orifices or a continuous delivery slot leading from the chamber of the header which faces the metal strip. Oil is attracted in small discrete streams onto the surface of the grounded strip traveling in near proximity to the header and the strip is uniformly coated with oil across its full width. Excess oil is recovered and returned to the pumping means for recycling in the system.