Building a ledger for indoor use with with some cut to size 2 by 4s, should I stain or paint them?
A true wood stain does not build a "film" on the surface. It only changes the color of the porous wood fiber near the surface. You will want a film-forming finish if your goal is to make it easier to clean up spilled liquids. A paint will do this, but if you want to preserve the look of the wood, then 1 to 3 coats of a polyurethane based finish will also work well. Polyurethane is a clear, durable finish that is resistant to many chemicals and also to normal wear and tear.