Looking back in history, cars were always painted black. Why you may ask. They painted the cars black to look like horse carriages. Even when Ford Motor Company started production of its iconic Model T, they were only available in one color – black.
After World War II when peace and prosperity became strong, candy-colored cars started becoming popular. Today, people have the choice of more than 15 colors when shopping for vehicles. However, white, black, and gray continue to top the list of the most popular colors for cars.
Two versions of white that stand out include Space White and Oxford White. Want to know the differences between space white and Oxford white?
Read on.
Space White vs Oxford White Side-by-Side Comparison
Space White is a metallic color available as one of the 15 colors on the Ford F150 (2021 – 2022) pickup trucks. Solely offered on the F150 XL, it has a rich gray tone that shimmers beautifully. Besides that, it has a color depth not available with other traditional paints.
If we look at Oxford White, it’s a classic bright white color with a slightly cool cast. While it’s a simple white, Oxford White is warm which can be enhanced with the western afternoon sunshine and the southern light.
Oxford White is a delicate color with no hints of violet. As such, it’s a warm gray that does not contain any yellow, green, or blue undertones. To better understand the differences between Space White and Oxford White, here is a side-by-side comparison.
| OXFORD WHITE | STAR WHITE | |
|---|---|---|
| HEX CODE | #F1F3F1 | #EFEFE8 |
| SUITED FOR | WARM REGIONS | COLD REGIONS |
| Blending capability | Blends poorly | Blends well |
| Heat absorption | Low capacity | Low capacity |
| UV light protection | Offers protection | Does not offer protection |
| Cost | Affordable | Expensive |
Comparison Between Ford Oxford White and Star White
Space White
As aforementioned, Space White has a light shade of yellow and green formed by 90.98% blue, 93.73% red, and 93.73% green. It has a hue of 60 degrees, 92% lightness, and 18% saturation.
Unlike Oxford White, Space White has a metallic look that glistens under the sunlight. In fact, when driving in daylight, you can feel the metallic shine reflecting off the surface of the vehicle. What you need to know is that Space White is a tri-coat paint.
Wondering what it means by tri-coat paint. Well, typical cars have two layers of paint – the base coat and the clear coat. While it provides a clean and shiny finish, the result is a one-dimensional color. Most cars on our roads were all painted using this method.
However, with the latest Ford F150 pickup trucks with Space White, they used the tri-color paint method. In this method, the paint will have three coats – basecoat, mid-coat, and clear coat.
The big advantage of the tri-color painting method is durability and strength. This is because the coat can withstand wear and tear better than the traditional method of using two coats. However, the tri-coat paint is expensive.
When it comes to UV protection and heat absorption, Space White only provides adequate protection. As such, Ford F150s with Space White are usually not suited for warm regions but for colder regions. The color will not fade with time. But it will remain fresh and glossy for a long time.
Oxford White’s blending ability is amazing. In fact, this is the reason why it works well with all interior color combinations and trim levels. This is because its texture is glossy and helps to hide scuffs and scratches with ease. However, Oxford White is not bright enough to cover the dirt and dust. As such, you’ve to do daily cleanups. This will help you avoid any embarrassing encounters.
Pros
- Glitters with a metallic tone under the Sun
- Hides scuffs and scratches with ease
- Has a glossy feel
- Won’t fade even with years of use
Cons
- Costly
- Does not offer protection against UV rays
Oxford White
Oxford White has a light shade of green, unlike Space White which has yellow and green shades. The shade comprises 94.51% blue and red plus 95.29% green. It has a hue of 120 degrees unlike 60 degrees for Space White.
Due to these characteristics and more, Oxford White is white and slightly warm. However, it’s not warm like Cloud White. Since it’s simple white, the color is ideal for pairing with different decals of your choice.
When it comes to heat absorption, Oxford White can handle heat problems better than Space White. This is thanks to its reflective surface that reflects much of the sunlight. This makes Ford F150 pickup trucks and other vehicles with Oxford White ideal for use in warm regions.
Besides its ability to handle heat absorption, it also provides better protection from UV rays. UV rays cause oxidation, which affects car painting by breaking down the chemical bonds resulting in the paint color fading.
Unlike the glossy Space White, Oxford White is plain but bright. As such, the color requires more effort to blend with shades. This is because Oxford White lacks a non-metallic form.
Cleaning is also a problem as Oxford White is lighter. As such, cleaning dirt and scratches will be a challenge. To avoid embarrassment, you’ve to clean your pickup truck daily.
Pros
- Affordable
- Provides 100% protection from UV rays
- Has no heat problems
- Gives your pickup truck a formal look
Cons
- Challenging to clean
- Does not hide scuffs and scratches with ease
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What’s the difference between space white and Oxford white?
Space White has a metallic clear coat that glistens in the sun while Oxford White is plain and simple but slightly warm. The reason why Space White glistens under the Sun is that its tri-coat paint is usually designed to impress people. However, while Oxford White appears plain and simple, its vibrant gray shade provides 100% protection from UV rays. As such, you don’t have to worry about your paint job fading even after
Does Ford Oxford white have metallic in it?
Oxford White is a simple and plain white with no metallic in it. However, it’s bright, vibrant, and protects your pickup truck from heat problems.
What does Oxford white look like?
Oxford White is a classic white that is more modern than Cloud White. It’s not drab but bright and clean. As a great choice for those who want a modern and fresh look, it’s fade resistant.
Is Star white the same as white platinum?
No, Star White and White Platinum are not the same. Star White is a tri-coat paint with a metallic form, while White Platinum is a pearl-like tri-coat paint with a cream appearance.
Final Words
Picking between Space White and Oxford White can seem challenging. However, looking at their characteristics, pros, and cons above can help you make a smarter decision. If you want to impress the masses, go for Space White as the metallic shade glitters under the Sun. But if you live or work in a warmer region, go for Oxford White as it provides 100% protection from UV rays.