A contact nozzle (2) for coating an elastic strand (12) with an adhesive (14). Air (18) is discharged at the adhesive (14) in contact with the strand (12), causing the adhesive (14) to spread around the periphery of the strand (12). The air (18) assists with release of the adhesive (14) from the nozzle (2) and also cleans the nozzle (2) to discourage adhesive build-up on the nozzle (2).