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Gloves

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For the first 40 years or so that I worked on cars I didn't use gloves unless it was for protection from heat or something sharp.

Eventually I started using cheapo disposable latex gloves & am happy with them in cool weather but they're uncomfortable in summer.

I wear these things mainly to keep from having to sand-blast my hands 3 times a day to clean them off. I've never used any of the "mechanic's gloves" available from NAPA and the rest.

Opinions? Can you pick up, say, a washer when you're wearing mechanic's gloves? How do you clean them?
 
I wear the cheapo disposable gloves always - rip a few pairs every day...they're supposed to be 1 time use but I sometimes get multiple use out of them...I can do anything in them but couldn't in my "Mechanix" gloves...
 
It irritates me when a rubber glove tears just trying to put it on. I’ve been using Diamond Grip gloves. They’re much stronger than painter’s gloves and have textured fingers. OSH usually carries them. As far as mechanic’s gloves, Black Stallion is the brand I found most comfortable. Nice wide Velcro. Black Stallion
 
Greg..I've solved the 'tear as it goes on' problem...I blow into them & make balloons - then put them on.
 
Buy the right size and stretch them a little before puting them on, blowing into them too does it.

Tip: If you're working with solvents that attack the latex and dissolve it try puting two pairs on- one over the other- then when the outer one gets eaten up and leaks you can peel it off and put on a replacement, keeping your hands clean.
 
I find the blue nitrile gloves are as good as latex for fit/feel, but are much tougher. As for the mechanics gloves - they're probably mostly a fashion statement. I've used them working on stinking hot race cars, when its gloves or 3rd degree burns, but otherwise they're just a PITA that impairs your ability to pick up small parts.
 
I used to wear the latex gloves but found they were very tight on my hands, were hot/sweaty and tore too easily. I picked up a box (100) of Vinyl disposable gloves from the hardware store, Stanley Handhelpers brand and they are a much more comfortable fit and last longer. You might want to give the vinyl gloves a try.

Cheers,
John
 
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but otherwise they're just a PITA that impairs your ability to pick up small parts.

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Great thread . I have often thought about getting machanics gloves and also wondered if they were really useful. I think not now.

Bruce
 
I am a professional auto technician and I use the Mechanix gloves all the time. Yes, I do have to take them off for delicate operations,(but not many) and they've saved my hands from being burned, scraped, cut, and otherwise abused while doing all the heavy, grimey, up to your elbows kinda work. And it's really nice to just be able to pull them off to take a break or something, instead of having to scrub up again.
I swear by 'em. I do use latex, or nitril for slimey jobs, but they tend to irritate after a while. I can wear the mechanix all day without any problem.
And when they get grimey, I just use some dish soap, wash them up while I'm wearing them, and hang them up overnight.
They do have a "break in period". But once you get them worn in they really become easier to work in.
I've even got a few other tecs in the shop wearing them now.
As a note, Under heavy use, they only last a month or two. I tend to watch for the odd sale where they turn up for around $10.
I've always thought they look kinda dumb, so it's definatly not a "fashon statement" on my part.
 
Well that changes my mind again.

Thanks

Bruce
 
I use the two ply nitrile/latex gloves that I get from Harbor Freight. They fit tightly and let me do just about any job. In addition, they are don't tear as easily as latex.
 
@100 gloves for $7, I can tear a bunch before I pay for a set of Mechanix! The ones I get don't seem too tight for me & aren't coated with that powder stuff - they're at Advance Auto
 
The thing I always do is use Neutrogena Hand Cream....much better results than other similar products.

I do buy a lot of the cheap, brown cotton gloves and often cut the finger-tips off them (we call them "NY hot-dog vendor's gloves").
 
I used vinyl but my hands end up wet. I use plumbers hand cleaner (from ACE) for really bad dirt. It takes off paint and glue so it works well on grease. I'm going to try the $7 gloves from Advanced Auto Tony recommends and see if they work. My big problem is my wife uses them for gardening work and I don't have any when I want to work on a car.
 
Right now Advance is having a sale on the Mechanix gloves for $9.97. And Sears has them on sale for $10.00
Now is when I buy mine. They're great for gifts, and to have in the car for the roadside tire change or whatnot.
I have nothing agenst the Latex/nitril gloves, I'm just saying the Mechanix gloves serve a different purpose.
Theyre great agenst scrapes and burns. They won't stop a burn, but they give you time to react instead of melting to your skin. I do use nitril for oil changes and slimy jobs.
I have hand cleaner at work that is great, but if you have to use it several times a day (between each job to keep the cars and paperwork clean) I've yet to find a good handcleaner that scrubs off all the grime, and dosen't eventually give you splits and hangnails up to your second knuckle (mainly in the winter). some are lots better than others, but none are perfect. That's why I like the gloves.
 
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Have you tried using Barrier Cream beforehand? ....

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No - maybe I'll try that too.

I think there was a lot of good discussion here - I've decided to just splurge and get a pair of mechanix gloves and another million of the disposables also. I'll generally use the disposables unless something's hot or sharp.
 
I have two pairs of the mechanics gloves, different brands. My youngest son loves them, wears them as driving gloves! Very useful, keep hands clean and reasonably warm. I have the disposable ones, and don't enjoy using them. Each unto his own, I suppose.
 
Tore 3 sets of gloves today - wonder if they tear easier when its cold outside & you're up under a car that has been sitting out in the cold for awhile?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Tore 3 sets of gloves today - wonder if they tear easier when its cold outside & you're up under a car that has been sitting out in the cold for awhile?

[/ QUOTE ]

Probably - Murphy's law.

(I didn't know it got cold in Alabama)
 
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