Touching up "milk chocolate" varnish

[biscuit]

The teak toe- and grab-rails of my boat are coated (by a previous owner) with what appears to be a thin membrane of a milk chocolate coloured substance, which is beginning to flake off where there is any abrasion. I plan to remove all of this one day (the teak seems to be generally in really good condition), but want a quick cosmetic fix for a season or two, in other words, just rub it down and touch it up. I don't know what product was used, and would appreciate any ideas as to what it is likely to be, and whether its still available.

 

[Rigger]

Sounds like Sikkens teak varnish. Thats what I have and come to think of it it does look like a smear of milk chocolate!! They also do a natural varnish which I guess is see through. I just rub the bear patches down mid season and apply a couple of coats. Every 3-4 years I rub the whole lot of and replace with 4-5 fresh coats.

 

[jwilson]

It's possibly an acrylic-based garden fence treatment - Ronseal or similar. It does seem to preserve the timber, though I don't much like the milk chocolate finish you get.

 

[prv]

They also do a natural varnish which I guess is see through.

I bought a tin of the "natural" one to do Kindred Spirit's teak seats (removable slatted things, not laid and caulked like a deck). Fortunately I started with the small infill across the stern, as it looks horrible! Put it on that piece only, and left the others bare. Came out like I imagine your "milk chocolate" is, but with a lighter orangey-brown colour.

Pete

 

[biscuit]

Thanks all. Maybe Sikkens. I find that this has been discontinued. Any ideas for the closest replacement, please ?

 

[Whitty]

International woodskin same stuff as sikkens filter seven a few years back.

 

[winsbury]

We had something similar on our coach roof rails - I really didn't like the colour so spent an evening scraping it off and two more putting on varnish, result is lovely proper teak grain finish, well worth the time especially since there's not a lot of wood above deck on our boat so the few bits that there are now really look the part.

 

[lustyd]

I assume you realise teak doesn't need protecting so you can just leave it bare and start rubbing back at your leisure? I know it doesn't look as nice but worth a mention

 

[winsbury]

I assume you realise teak doesn't need protecting so you can just leave it bare and start rubbing back at your leisure? I know it doesn't look as nice but worth a mention

yes but I'm not a fan of the silvery colour that it oxidises to, also the varnish helps protect from bumps and scrapes that might otherwise need somewhat destructive sanding to remove.

 

[LittleSister]

The teak toe- and grab-rails of my boat are coated (by a previous owner) with what appears to be a thin membrane of a milk chocolate coloured substance,

I am the only one thinking that the OP is perhaps not talking about varnish or similar transparent/translucent products at all, but the more paint-like, almost opaque, ugly brown stuff that was commonly used on the wood trim of old boats in 60's and 70's?