When using the same type of insulation why does magnet wire have different colors?
The insulation or coating on the magnet wire can vary in color for several reasons. A popular vintage insulation called Formvar often seen on vintage Stratocaster pickups can vary due to the thickness and amount of layers or coatings the bare copper magnet wire will have. As the insulation becomes thicker, it can also become darker with each layer or build. Heavy or triple build will be darker than single build Formvar insulation. The color can change depending on the manufacturer of the insulating material. Different chemical companies have their own recipe for making the same type chemical insulation. There are many federal regulations today and many of the chemicals used years ago can t be used today. After the coils are wound various potting solutions used can make the magnet wire have a different color. More synthetic materials are used today to create the same useful insulation s.
