Doors and Windows - Wax? stain? preparation? 4 panel pine doors

I have cheap interior 4 panel pine doors. I think they have a layer of thin wood over the surface. I want to protect them and make them look good. Should I wax, varnish, stain? what is the best and how do I do this? what is the best product? Please help as it is driving me mad and the wife is getting on my back!!!

Stain changes the color, that is a personal decorating choice. If you want to see the wood grain, then polyurethane is your best bet. I prefer oil based finish, because I like the slight ambering you get, and they lay down smoother, but take longer to dry. Water based finishes will not change the wood color.

Stain on pine can sometimes be blotchy, so use a stain conditioner first, follow directions. The stain must often be applied before the conditioner fully dries.

If the wood grain is not important, there is always paint. A good primer first, then 1-2 top coats.

I agree! It's also a good idea to apply a coat of poly/paint to the tops and bottoms of the doors.

Stain and condtioner is basically a choice for you and your wife to make. The different grains/colors will be more pronounced without conditioner. Conditioner helps to make the finished color more uniform. Poly usually takes 3 coats [sand/dust inbetween] to make the doors look their best.