How to finish my stand

[Industrial]

So for my birthday/valentines day present my girlfriend bought me a brand new 40br from Petsmart and I am designing a DIY stand for it.

I am going to be building the stand mainly out of particleboard and I am wondering what the best way to cover the wood would be. If I stained the stand, you would still see the ugly particleboard. If I painted the stand it may be like that too. I know that lots of wood decor companiers use veneer and I am wondering how much that would cost and where I could find that.

Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated as well.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=465898&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1266350288

[THE V]

Personally I wouldn't use particle board at all. You can pick up a sheet of decent hardwood plywood (1/2") for generally less than $30. The plywood is strong enough that you really don't need any other supports other than little 1 X 1 glue/screw strips (no need for the vertical supports in your drawing). For the edges, iron on birch laminate works very well. They sell it in rolls generally in the lumber section. Just ask for it. You can then either stain it or paint it the color that you like. If staining finishing with 5 coats of lacquer is highly recommended (it handles water better than polyurethane). If painting, exterior paint is a must as it is waterproof.

You can use particle or MDF board to build with. Veneers are not sold at lumber yards however so you are left with a good outdoor waterproof paint or Formica with epoxy sealant for the interior and edges. You must protect most particle boards from water as they are easily destroyed by it

[Slappy*McFish]

I agree, use plywood.

[Industrial]

Okay, I think I will use plywood and glue some moulding on possibly. The vertical supports are hopefully going to be metal columns, or painted dowels.