In this video I’m building the new DAT HQ product bench, and I’m showing you the exact techniques you can use at home if you’re putting together your own desk setup. The racking is already up behind me, I’ve got cameras in position, and the TV is still to go on the wall, but the main job today is getting the bench top prepped properly: sanding it back, varnishing it, and making sure it looks clean on camera. The biggest takeaway is preparation. I did the underside first with a quick sand and varnish, then added another layer to bring it out. Underneath I’ve also used reflective foil, and that’s there purely to bounce the light—so when I’m filming products it’ll give a nice glow to the background (it’s just hard to see while it’s bright in the studio). On the top I sanded more heavily because that’s what you’ll actually see, used 180 grit, and went with a dark wood oak effect varnish in two coats to get that darker look I wanted to match the set. I also painted the underside gloss black so it’s not just “wood on wood,” and I always varnish with the grain for a better finish.