Possible mould

What have you tried so far?  Can we get more pictures?

This picture pretty much shows the problem at  its best. I only cleaned it with WetOnes which didn't do much of anything. Therefore I am reaching out to the Forum for advise.

I can't tell from the photo.  Is this a plastic shell?  Or aluminum? 

Not sure, but these are those great cars brought out by K-Line, and I think they are aluminum.  Seems to me most cars from MTH, Lionel etc. were/are plastic.

OK, if they're aluminum, try alcohol or 409 on a Q-tip.  As always, test on a hidden part of the shell.

Do you have the entire consist?  If so, what are the car names?  I have the pleasure of working with the Silver Feather on a regular basis on the Arkansas and Missourl RR... 

Mitch

OK I will try those products. As for the consist. Right now the person who wants to sell these off has only given me one 21" and one 15" car to look at, so I am not sure what he has in the wings.

Righto! Keep us posted. 

Looks like mildew. If it's on the outside, then it's going to be inside the car too. Probably best to open it up and do a thorough cleaning.

If it's aluminum a good bath in dish detergent would do the job.

Those K line aluminum cars seem to be notorious for corroding. Aluminum corrosion is white, which is probably what you see (it looks a bit like a fingerprint pattern from where someone was picking it up).  If it feels rough, and doesnt rub off with a fingernail, thats probably what it is.  Not a whole lot you can do without the need re-polish the car, but vinegar would neutralize it.

Thanks for that info. Doesn't really sound like a good situation.

@RSJB18 posted:

Looks like mildew. If it's on the outside, then it's going to be inside the car too. Probably best to open it up and do a through cleaning.

If it's aluminum a good bath in dish detergent would do the job.

What about the lettering, do I have to worry about destroying it ?

@Jeff B. Haertlein posted:

Seems to me most cars from MTH, Lionel etc. were/are plastic.

Were? (in the greater past): For streamlined cars, never, except for the least expensive traditional-sized cars.  They were otherwise all aluminum.

Are? (in the present): Always.  All sizes and styles are plastic.

Mike

OK thanks for the correction

@Jeff B. Haertlein posted:

What about the lettering, do I have to worry about destroying it ?

I don't think so. I've washed shells of various engines and cars and the lettering was not affected. If it's aluminum oxidation as Boilermaker stated then all bets are off.

Just go easy with a soft brush, like an old toothbrush, and see what happens.

Looks like corrosion .    If it is , the area that shows the oxidation will have pitting of the aluminum which can only be eliminated by sanding down to good aluminum.           In this case of having the aluminum sheen preserved.........probably filling the pitting and painting the cars silver.   

Pretty labor intensive to get a satisfactory finish.

Unless they are really cheap I would pass.  They will never have original finish restored.