Not sure how to answer.
All my tanks are on "GeoMetrik" stands.
They are made of that highly compressed wood material (forget exactly what it's called) (not particle board) and they have a black finish coating on them.
So they are wood, but they are not painted. They are "finished", but not stained.
I guess for all intents and purposes I would fall into the painted category even though, technically, my stands are not.
At least, I don't think it's paint. Or maybe I just don't want it to be paint. Paint sounds so cheap.
Whatever it is, it's a nice low gloss, no glare, easy clean finish. I love 'em.
Cheers,
PS Voted paint, reluctantly. (It sounds so cheap!
)