Need to make one of these resilient to getting rained and/or snowed on, what are the decent cheap options? High-effort DIY'ing is totally on the table. It doesn't have to look perfect, it's more important that it lasts:
https://www.canadiandisplay.ca/A-Frame-Sidewalk-Menu-Black-Marker-Board-Easel-p/mbb03b.htm
I would oil it. Edit: looks like it already has a finish on it. Teak oil or mineral oil wouldn't do much good, I don't think.
The wood part or chalkboard part?
Wood part. It's actually a markerboard and the marker ink is supposed to be weather resistant once dry, if there are issues with that I figure I could add some kind of plexiglass cover.
I'd use oil as suggested above. It says it's pine with no treatment, so that would be good. I prefer odies oil, but not sure if it hits the cheap button. The issue is 9 oz is $55 and you need maybe 2. Any wood shops nearby? They might give/sell you a smaller amount.
Looks like this might do the job?
In reply to GameboyRMH :
That should work well. Using an oil is nice because you can't mess it up. Wipe on, let sit, wipe off. Repeat 2-3 times, done.
If you want REALLY cheap. As I remember, this book talked about how good used motor oil was for that purpose. Apparently it smells for a bit, but that goes away!
So I've got the board now and the hardwax oil, I've seen some oiling instructions recommend sanding before oiling, should I do that with this or just apply oil as-is? Seems like the wood's been stained already. Also it's a bit dusty, should I do any cleaning/prep first? Here's a closeup of the wood.
Edit: instructions on the can recommend sanding before application...and applying at a minimum temperature of 10C, that could be difficult...
I would caulk the black board edge where it looks like it should be dadoed into the frame before you oil anything so that water doesn't get into the seam with some form of clear siliconized latex caulk after you clean everything with alcohol. Maybe just use a Scotch bright pad to gently scuff up the wood clear finish.
Was just thinking about that, I have some adhesive clear silicone.
In reply to GameboyRMH :
Never pure silicone!!! That's only for aquariums. Only paintable latex or siliconized latex. That oil you show is for unfinished wood, I don't think it will soak into the stained and clear coated finish. Maybe a (car) wax or Tung oil which gets hard.
In reply to VolvoHeretic :
I confirmed the clear adhesive silicone I have is 100% so that can't work. I also have these, looks like the middle tube could work:
In reply to GameboyRMH :
That would work except that it is brilliant white. You had better be a great caulker.
I'm sure not! Looks like there is clear paintable caulk available though:
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/dap-300ml-clear-dynaflex-230-premium-elastomeric-sealant/1000160763
Sorry, oil is for unfinished wood. When I read the specs I thought it said unfinished pine but now see it says lightweight pine. For oil to work it'll need to be sanded.
Should I sand it until it's a natural pine color or just enough to rough up the surface?
I would take the oil back and get some car wax.
In reply to GameboyRMH :
It'll need to be all the way. The wax is a good idea.
Thought I would update, the board got used in the snow last weekend, I'd caulked the edges of the "blackboard" area and applied the car wax. The writing did run a bit from some water dripping onto the board from an awning over the course of the day, they're not as waterproof as the ones in this video:
https://liquidchalk.com.au/waterproof-markers/rain-tolerant-markers/
Probably because they're not full of PFAS 
That's good to hear, hopefully it lasts many years, as long as you keep a good coat of wax on her. I wonder if you could get a piece of clear vinyl made/sewn up that you could just drop down over the sign? Maybe just hold it on with some spring clamps?
Used it again on the weekend and a cover will definitely be needed in case of any rain or snow. The writing got runny on one side from a few drips, then heavy snow came down, I tried an automotive ice brush on one side as an experiment and it turned out to be a very effective way to clear the board. A recurring problem is snow falling on the board, then melting and running to the bottom (taking ink with it), finally pooling and forming a block of colored ice at the bottom which eventually ends up leaking into the back of my van somewhere.
Update: Feeling strongly tempted to sell this and get one of these:
https://www.amazon.ca/Changeable-Enclosure-Freestanding-Display-Standing/dp/B0B94VQK8B
Downside is that they cost about 2x as much but I might be able to squeeze the money together in the next couple months.
Edit: Another advantage of the lockable cover is that I could get an old tablet and stick it in there playing looping video. I'm pretty sure nobody in the environment where this is used would carry off the whole sign to get an old tablet.
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