10/12/2016    Keith Gurnick, DPM

Podiatry Practical Tip Of The Day

Who doesn't do some form of orthotic
adjustments in their offices? Do you ever have
difficulty opening or unscrewing the Barge can
after the used can has sat for a while? Does
your can of Barge always seem to be glued shut
when you need it in a hurry for a quick
adjustment?

This is due to cement that gets in between the
nozzle and the cap and then dries out. There
are many techniques to "unstick" or open the
can when this happens. This can include using a
hand-adjustable pipe or grip wrench, but this
might put a permanent crimp in the cap from
squeezing so hard. Sometimes banging
on the cap will help. Also running some hot
water onto the top of the can for a couple
minutes often will soften the glue bond
and make it somewhat easier to manually twist
off and open the metal cap. Or sometimes you
might even ask an office assistant for an extra
pair of hands...a.k.a. four hands are better
than two.

Some doctors will use a Q-Tip to apply a layer
of vaseline jelly around the outside of the
nozzle which lubricates the area, but that can
get a bit messy.

Here is what I have found works best for me to
prevent this problem, and make opening the can
fast and easy every time:

1) Before you use your new can of Barge for
the very first time, tear out a small whole
from a 5" x 5" piece of wax paper.

You can purchase small rolls of wax paper at
any super market, or it is available pre-cut
squares in a small dispenser box.

The small round opening should be the same
diameter as the inside opening of the can of
Barge)

2) Carefully, twist open and remove the metal
cap (which has the applicator brush attached to
it) and place the prepared wax paper centered
over the hole in the can. Be careful not to get
any glue on the outside of the can, by wiping
the barge cement off the brush and metal shaft
onto the inside of the can's nozzle as you
remove the brush.

3) When you use the Barge Cement to do your
glueing, any small amounts of glue that might
accidentally spill over onto the top of the
can, will be caught by the wax paper. When you
are done gluing, throw out this wax paper and
replace it with another clean sheet of wax
paper (with the pre-cut hole) over the opening
of the can, and screw down the lid securely .

The wax paper will interface between the two
sides of the screws (the lid and the nozzle)
and will in essence lubricate but still
form an air tight seal. The next time you go to
use the Barge, it will open as easily as the
first time when the can was brand new. The cost
of the wax paper is less than a penny. Extra
time involved 20 seconds. Time and effort saved
trying to open a can you can't
open...immeasurable!

Keith Gurnick, DPM, Los Angeles, CA

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