btw I think it's so great that you were able to find that info out! Any info on why some ponies are more prone to it?

According to the book (which was written by a scientist who specializes in plastics, so I feel pretty confident passing along the info).

- fungus likes to have a surface it can cling to, porous vinyl is perfect for this
- fungus likes to feed off of plasticizer
- if the humidity is too high the items in the area will take a fungal hit, whether or not an item in the area already has the spots

Since some ponies are more prone to plasticizer leakage (it has to do with the way the vinyl was formulated, some toys got the mix right and others didn't), it would make sense that if those are stored where the conditions are right, they would be more prone having the spots show up.

So it's the same? It can be multiple colors? Satin n lace's spot looked orange.
But it would be less confusing if people used the right terms. I never knew that the fungus bumps existed, just the splotchy brown spots.

Oh, I thought it looked brown in the photo (referring to a different topic as we're probably confusing people).  As far as I know, when most collectors refer to "pony cancer" or "age spot" they mean the brown, generally roundish brown spots with or without a bump or darker spot in the middle.  If your spot is orange, it could be regrind as others suggested, but I don't know of regrind that causes a raised bump so I'd still guess fungus.  In the end it doesn't really matter unless you're trying to remove it, although you can't do anything to stop regrind.  There is also a fungus that causes a lot of the pink marks you'll see on ponies.  The pink is actually staining from the fungus' waste.  What people call "smooze" or "pin dot mold" looks like blackheads and can be caused by either a fungus or dirt getting ground into the pores in the vinyl.  There are probably other fungus that may affect vinyl as well.

As far as why people don't just call it fungus, these names developed before collectors knew what caused these issues.  It used to be believed that the brown spots were a break down in the vinyl (I used to believe that too), and many collectors still believe this.  I think it's called "vinyl deterioration syndrome" by doll collectors.

Personally, I like cutesy names for things like "Smooze".  I think "pony cancer" may be insensitive, but I've been collecting for 18 years and that name has been around for a long, long time.  Considering the number of people asking me if the ponies I have for sale have any "cancer", I'm pretty sure it's not going anywhere anytime soon.  There must be some reference to the cartoon we could call it though?

The second isn't a beauty mark anymore then the one on my hand is. In fact, isn't that a sign of something not good?

A beauty mark is a mole or a birthmark.  Technically age spots would be more correct, but beauty mark sounds so much prettier.

One thing that really urks me, and worries me, is that people think these spots will spread from pony to pony.  Believe me, I used to believe some incorrect stuff to.  Fungus is everywhere, if the humidity gets too high these spots will start to show up, regardless of whether or not you already have an infected pony in your herd.  When the humidity is at the correct level, they won't spread.  I'd hate to see people start chucking ponies when that won't do any good.

LOL, I like the idea of calling them "beauty marks".

It removes paint on these ponies.  What I do when I have rust issues in hard to reach areas is pour a little oxi clean into their body, like into their feet, than pour in some hot water and let it bubble.  Then rinse it out.  I do this with any pony who reacts badly to oxi-clean like the guys you mentioned and ones with chartreuse hair.  Just fyi, whitening toothpaste (paste, not gel) seems to work best.

Thanks for the headsup, lovesbabysquirmy! I thought I remembered oxiclean being bad for TEs- and princess ponies, right?

 I ended up cleaning her with toothpaste, a baby toothbrush, and dish soap. I got most of the rust out of the body and all out of the head... Might actually do an oxi bath just for the body to get the rest of the rush from her rear legs and butt.

Hi everyone! I run the MLP Preservation Project and am now accepting restoration commissions! I've been asked to do this a lot over the years and now I feel like I have the experience and the time. Please check out this new section of the site and contact me at mlppreservationATgmail.com if you'd like me to help give your old toys new life! www.mlppreservationproject.com/commissions.html

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(moving to Customs - DF)

Vintage My Little Pony Perfume Puff Red Roses $59 + shipping OBO
- good condition
- hair, symbol, and eyes perfect
- brown spots on the back of her neck on the non display side
- smudge on her cheek blush on her non display side

Thanks for taking a look!

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I definitely don't think they're as good as the G1's.  I'll still buy pieces I like, but with the re-design there are a lot fewer of those now.