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I just got a few off the new Space Marines tactical and Sternguard squads.
The Tactical squads look really good, dark plastic like I'm used to, while the Sternguard are lighter, in both color and weight. They also seem different when I touch them and I feel the details aren't as crisp on the Sternguard.

Does anyone know anything about this? I have three Tactical boxes, all fine and two Sternguard and both have this light gray plastic.

*10/11/13*

I'm not sure how well this picture discribes my problem, you kind off have to experience it yourself. But one of the things I noticed is the rectangle shaped thingie on the upper legs aren't as deep as the Tactical Marines. It should also be noted I'm just curious about the plastic, which seems to be that they ran out off dye and I'm aware the models are just fine to use, but it is not as fun to have a model you feel is leftover scraps from production.

PS: Don't mind the chewing gum.

Did you get an older sternguard box with the finecast? The finecast is lighter in color and weight than the standard plastic.

long time ago they used to use a much softer formulation of plastic which was light grey. now they use a much harder dark grey plastic as formulas have changed.

They also have finecast if that was what you bought that is resi/plastic which is different from the multi part plastic kits.

Yeah, take a pic of your sternguard. Guarantee they are finecast.

Games Workshop wrote:Our Citadel Finecast models are the latest step in hobby evolution, providing you with incredibly detailed, high-quality resin kits to bolster your army.

Kern wrote:I feel the details aren't as crisp on the Sternguard.

Classic!

Eh... I can spot the difference between a cow and a pig, so no, it is not finecast.

I bought the new ones, and that is why I find this so odd.

Still would like to see some pics.

Sounds like finecast to me...

I think I know what the OP is getting at. If I'm on the right track it's not Finecast but it is standard plastic. It seems that the formulation of plastic has changed in the newer kits (Possibly just the van/stern-guard kits) and it's now a lighter grey colour. It's not Finecast but it looks different. I noticed it when I bought some bits online from the newer Vanguard kit and the Death Company kit (Jump-packs) and I did notice the difference. I'm not sure if it's less detailed and it's hard to explain, but you can see and feel the difference between a new Vanguard Jump-Pack and the older (By old I just mean the pre-September 2013 SM release) Death Company Jump-pack. I'm not sure if it's just the colour difference affecting observation but the newer kit's appear more rounded - almost fuzzy on the detailing. Hard to explain but there is a difference in plastic formulation.

From the OP it sounds like finecast, but As you say its not hard to tell the difference if you know just a smidge about GW models.

Pictures would be helpful maybe... its entirely possible that they plastic mixing machine ran short of dye on the run that you got and that it wasnt deemed scrap and got sold anyway? Do GW do that? lol

I have two of the new vanguard kits. The plastic seems unchanged to me.

The major differences I see between the newer plastic kits as they have adopted digital processes, are sharper molding, better fit, fewer mold lines, and more bits on each sprue. I have not seen any change in the density or strength of the plastic.

The detailing seems to be practically the same on close inspection - just the colour is a shade lighter. I reckon it's that 1 shade lighter that gives the effect of fuzzy details. I'd put up pictures of my own finds, but I've got no light now and I think that the effect would be hard to see via digital replication.

Chances are then that you got a off batch of plastic that came out weird. i have the new sternguard kit and its darker and harder than the standard tac marine kit which seems to be how all new kits are like (pathfinder kit as well.)

 Desubot wrote:
long time ago they used to use a much softer formulation of plastic which was light grey. now they use a much harder dark grey plastic as formulas have changed.

This is backwards. The lighter grey plastic was harder than the newer, darker stuff. The switch to the darker plastic saw a fairly significant loss of detail in some kits. Comparing a 3rd ed Tactical Marine to a 5th ed one, there is a marked difference in the crispness of the detail.



However, there is also a certain amount of colour difference just between different batches of plastic. I believe this is due to polystyrene initially being colourless, and the grey colour coming from an added ingredient. A slightly different amount of colourant added to each batch will result in a slightly different colour, and the colourant used also affects the hardness of the plastic to a certain degree.

I know exactly what your on about the new sternguard box and the new tactical box the plastic is a different shade of grey. It is very noticeable when they are side by side.

 insaniak wrote:



However, there is also a certain amount of colour difference just between different batches of plastic. I believe this is due to polystyrene initially being colourless, and the grey colour coming from an added ingredient. A slightly different amount of colourant added to each batch will result in a slightly different colour, and the colourant used also affects the hardness of the plastic to a certain degree.

This. Colour has to be ADDED to polystyrene, and depth of colour can vary from batch to batch.
GW have used several shades of grey plastic over the decades. From a pale grey to a dark grey. Also they varied in hardness, whilst all still being polystyrene (my revell contacta pro had no issues sticking any of them).