A method of applying a tread (3) to a tire casing (1) wherein a prevulcanized tread (3) is applied to the tire casing (1) via an intermediate layer of non-vulcanized rubber binder (2), and wherein the layer of rubber binder (2) is heated by supplying current to the layer through an electrically conductive wire (4). The wire used in accordance with the invention comprises a multiple of wires or strands (4a). The invention also relates specifically to such a multiwire element.