A method and apparatus for making potentioneter windings whereby the potentiometer wire is wound on an insulated mandrel and thereafter a mixture of adhesive and solvent is sprayed over the wound mandrel from one side of the mandrel. By controlling the spray, the adhesive may be limited to approximately 180* of the mandrel periphery, thereby securing the potentiometer wire to the mandrel over approximately half the mandrel area while leaving clean and uncovered the areas of the mandrel which will become the wiper track and the areas in which end connections and taps will be attached. The spraying process may be accomplished as a separate operation after winding the potentiometer wire on the mandrel, or as a continuous process by an addition of the apparatus of the invention to a suitable winding machine. The apparatus of the invention adapts a conventional artists air brush for use as a sprayer and provides all adjustments and controls necessary to achieve the desired result.