I started cleaning off some tinplate today and saw a spot that has me concerned. On my tinplate searchlight car there is a spot that I have not noticed before. I am certain that it was not there before, but I guess not 100%. I started displaying my engines in my basement behind my bar. it is not particularly damp in my basement and I do run a dehumidifier. The walls are fully insulated. now that I have noticed this I am going to watch it closely but am wondering what you all think. Thanks.
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The spot that has me concerned is on the top of the searchlight to the left.
Half the stuff I own (and I'm sure many other on the forum) starts off looking like this...
A few little bubbles or scratches probably aren't anything big, although I don't know too much knowledge of the quality MTH puts into their reproductions, it could have been a factory defect you didn't notice till now. I don't think you have too much to worry about...
(maybe some clearer pictures for better diagnosis?)
Brian, same for me 
Zett, maybe try some brasso on it, very gently in case the plating is thin. I've used brasso on quite a bit of prewar plated trim with good results. Many also suggest after the polishing, shoot it with some clearcoat.
Visit a motorcycle shop for a tube of Happich Semichrome polish. A very, very small dab will polish out surface corrosion and prevent further corrosion. Finger oils can start the process.
Other than that, it would be a plating problem. Can't fix that.
Brian, same for me ........ shoot it with some clearcoat.
I think it's more fun to restore them anyhow 
not all of us can afford brand new MTH trains... and bars... or basements... 
As for the clearcoat, I use rattlecan clear gloss lacquer and it holds up fairly well and is barely noticeable.
What Moonman said
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