December 1995
This fact sheet provides tips and techniques for various wood finish choices, including film-forming finishes, such as paint and varnish, or penetrating finishes, such as water repellent, stain or preservative applications. Paint, Stain, Varnish or Preservative? It’s Your Choice also offers advice on when to use various applications and explains how wood properties can affect the finish.
Prepared by:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Forest Products Laboratory
3 pages