A device for applying a liquid as a thin continuous film to a passing workpiece strip has a runoff face and an intake face both extending a full width of the workpiece strip and meeting at an upwardly directed spillover weir. A diverter has a face juxtaposed with the intake face and forming therewith a storage compartment and a lip having a face juxtaposed with the runoff face at the spillover weir. Liquid is fed under pressure to the storage compartment so that the liquid rides up the intake face, over the spillover weir, and down the runoff face to a lower edge thereof whence it drops onto the passing workpiece strip. The lip face blocks any liquid that overshoots the spillover weir and deflects it back onto the runoff face.