Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating only one side of a strip of material utilizes a pressurized foil bearing. The strip passes around the foil bearing while contacting a bath of liquid material. By controlling the pressure of the pressurizing medium used within the foil bearing, the strip is supported on a film of the pressurizing medium and the liquid material is prevented from contacting the side of the strip adjacent the foil bearing while the other side of the strip is in contact with the liquid material. Preferably, the pressurizing medium is at about the same temperature as the liquid material. Furthermore, a non-oxidizing gas may be used as the pressurizing medium to protect the side of the strip adjacent the foil bearing from oxidizing.