The following are some tips for selecting between paint or varnish, and for the successful use of each.

The type of wood you are working with should influence the type of finish or paint you choose. Wood comes in a wide variety of types and quality. At the bottom of the scale, or in other words the lowest grade of wood option is particle board, a composite material made from sawdust that has been glued and compressed to make a wood-like product. Particle board will accept a stain or varnish but it tends to absorb the stain like a sponge and doesn't look very attractive. If you're working with particle board, painting is your best option.

Your next step up from particle board is plywood which, in comparison to solid woods such as oak, can be identified by the layers of wood that have been glued together to form the plywood sheet. Plywood comes in various types and grades, some are better than others. Less expensive grades like construction-grade typically has wide grain that creates a rather unattractive look. Like particle board, the best option for inexpensive plywood may be painting.

From there you get into grades, with solid woods such as oak, cherry or mahogany -- or with finer-grade plywood such as oak plywood -- a stain may be preferred since it will allow the natural beauty and grain of the wood to show through.

So, paint or stain? If your wood is not a high quality, always paint. Otherwise your choice is either or. However, should you choose to stain, the first step is to stir the stain well to ensure that the pigments are mixed thoroughly. Then apply the stain to the wood using a rag or a brush. A rag allows you to apply it with a little more control than a brush does. After applied, allow the stain to soak into the wood for a few minutes, then wipe off the excess with a rag. If you want a darker version of the stain, let it stay on a little longer before wiping. If you want a lighter version, wipe it off almost immediately. Then, let the stain dry. Once the stain has dried, you'll typically want to protect the stained finish with a varnish such as polyurethane. The varnish is clear, and should be applied on top of the stain using a brush. It offers protection without concealing the wood grain.

If a stain and varnish does not work for you, or appeal to you, and you decide to use paint, it is important to note that paint sticks better to primer than it does to bare wood. When painting wood trim, for example, apply a coat of primer and let it dry completely. Then you can apply a coat of paint over the primer. This is smart because of the benefits, basically applying primer before painting will help reduce the chance of chipping or peeling later on, even if it means you have to apply two coats of paint to cover your primer.