Wood Treatment

Hi everybody!: Greetings for all!. I'm a member of the group since some months ago but I haven't post too many to the list. I want to ask if somebody can help me introducing me in wood treatment. I'm doing my first project in wood works and I don't know how wood have to be treated to give it a good look and resistance. I would like to know what products I have to use to seal, paint,protect against water, etc... I'm sorry if it's a silly question but I'm really new to work on wood. I generally work with metals. I hope somebody can help me. Greetings!.