When I was helping my nephew remodel his kitchen, my sister turned to me and asked, “Do you know how to install those end panels properly?” Without hesitation, I confidently told her, “Of course! I just glue them.” It wasn’t until later that she shared a little gem of wisdom taught to her by a family friend who was a union carpenter in New York City. This friend called it the WHOOKIE, a mysterious technique whose origin remains a bit of a mystery, according to the Urban Dictionary. Intrigued, I asked her to explain, and that’s when my world of panel installation changed forever.
In the past, I would simply run lines of glue in every direction across the back of the panel and stick it in place. For the most part, this approach worked, but I occasionally found myself dealing with frustrating issues. Sometimes, the corners would peel apart, or if the panel had a slight bow to it, I’d need something to hold it in place until the glue set. It was a bit of a hassle, and I knew there had to be a better way.
That’s when my sister told me about the WHOOKIE. The idea? Instead of gluing in lines, create circles with the adhesive. At first, I thought, “What’s the difference?” But as soon as I tried it, I realized how genius it was. The trick is in the suction. When you apply the panel, press down gently to push the air out of the circles. The result? The circles create a vacuum-like suction, holding the panel securely in place without the need for extra clamping or pressing. The corner separation I once struggled with? Gone. The slight bowing in the panels? No problem. It’s a simple yet game-changing technique that makes all the difference. Who knew a “mysterious” method could turn out to be such a practical and efficient solution?
Next time you’re tackling a panel installation project, try the WHOOKIE; it’s sure to make your job easier and your panels more secure. Trust me, you’ll wonder why you didn’t think of it sooner!