The place I’m renting has been shared with a group of young professionals for years now, and as a result, when I moved in, we had plenty of additional furniture, beyond what we needed. So I took an ikea dining table (it was painted when it was bought from IKEA) and put it outside. I know it probably won’t last long exposed to the elements, but with it already painted, what can I do to weatherize it? It seems paint, at some level, waterproofs wood, but I’m not sure this paint would. What would painting on some kind of sealant or finish do?

What else can I do? Step by step directions are always appreciated as I’m just getting started in DIY world.