A method and apparatus for galvanizing galvanizable metal in a wire-like form. A descaled wire or the like is passed vertically and upwardly through a transversely flowing stream of molten zinc after which the so-coated wire or the like is either passed into a second processing zone or is passed through a shaping orifice, or both, as desired. The resulting so-processed wire is then cooled preferably by quenching in a flowing water bath.