Does anybody do wrenching without gloves & why?

[glentre]

Another thread this morning about nitrile gloves brings up an unrelated question which I thought might warrant a separate post.

Using gloves seems to be gaining in popularity but I wonder what percentage of guys or gals who work on their cars doing greasy/messy repair work wear gloves and what percentage don't.

I personally do not use them except for painting work or cleaning parts for a number of reasons. First, I cannot grasp small objects with them because of the loss of feeling in my finger tips using gloves. Second, with grease on them, I have no feeling about where the grease is and tend to touch things I shouldn't. Third, my hands sweat a lot in gloves and they quickly become uncomfortable. Fourth, my hands are small but wide so it's difficult to get a size that fits without having those floppy tips at the end of my fingers. Some brands fit better in this regard than others. And last, I just feel more in control using my bare hands and using rags to wipe off when necessary. When finished, I use GOJO or any other gel type cleaner and my hands are back to greaseless, even under the nails. A little soap and water and maybe a brush for final cleanup to finish.

I'm sure those who use gloves have as many reasons for using them as I have for not. Would be interested in their input.

Glen

 

[03.]

I use gloves when buffing metal, doing live electrical work, and handling items which are hot enough or of a chemical nature to be able to burn me. Everything else like you, I like to be able to feel what I am doing.

 

[P0234]

I find that latex gloves offer much better feel than nitrile. I use gloves anytime I'm dealing with greasy or dirty parts.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Depends what it is for oil changes or anything working around gas or diesel than yes but for anything else unless it’s just really messy than no


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[firebirdparts]

Always without gloves. I do a lot, but only as a hobby. No gloves ever. The reason of course is I’m working for the fun of it and it’s more fun to be able to use your fingers.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

I only use latex gloves when working with chemicals or greasy jobs other than that no gloves for me....... I want to feel everything.
When I was a young guy there was no such thing as latex gloves so I washed my hands with leaded gasoline or Lestol after a greasy job.

 

[aka Larry]

About the only time I don't use gloves is if I'm doing electrical/wiring work. I even use them with woodworking.

I'm not a total clean freak, so I'm OK getting dirty if I have to...as long as it's not on my hands.

 

[alcorelli]

I have boxes of gloves in the truck (HVAC Svc, 39 yrs) and in my home shop.
I usually remember the gloves after I've gotten my hands dirty...

I grew up without them, but I do like having clean hands after working..

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[Bert_]

I wear gloves when there is sharp metal or if fighting a stubborn bolt. I don't do it to keep grease of my hands.

 

[Dagny]

No gloves i'm not a *****.

 

[txvwnut]

99% of the time I’m bare handed. I put some on when I’m doing wheel bearings or cleaning parts in the parts washer.

 

[pbon]

I try to wear gloves since my day job is in an office. I like Diamond Grip Latex and Raven Nitrile. Have a box of each. Also have the “mechanics gloves” and think the current set is from HF. I vary among the gloves and sometimes don’t wear gloves at all.

 

[23ford]

no gloves old fashioned way

 

[nadogail]

Gloveless, because that is the way I've always done it.

I weld with gloves, when I have them and I almost always do.

 

[Lassen Forge]

What am I doing to the car, and how much oil/schmutz is involved? Doing electrical / inside / clean engine bay work, not so much. Doing lube / CV joint / grease pit work, then yeah.

I tried gloves years ago, but they were so damned thin that they'd tear within minutes (if not seconds, even doubled up), but then I found these 11 mil gloves recently (our old shop guy turned me on to them) and they're not a big deal. Actually, once you get used to wearing them, it beats having to scrub the skin off your hands to get the oil stains out.

 

[ManOnTheCouch]

Almost never unless doing a really messy job like a cv boot replacement and regressing the joint.

 

[TuxThePenguin]

Every time I put nitrile or latex gloves on I just end up ripping them anyway

 

[kbeefy]

I wear mechanics gloves while working with tires, grinding/cutting/welding, and suspension work where my fingers might get smashed and the parts are big enough to easily grab.

I wear latex gloves when doing really greasy work (repack wheel bearings) or messy filter changes.

Most of the rest of the time I'm gloveless, better feel and dexterity.

All 3 of my techs wear latex gloves most of the time.

 

[niget2002]

I'm hit or miss. If I think about it, I'll put gloves on.

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[matt_i]

Hot (welding) or cold (winter) I use gloves.

Rocks/bricks/concrete work where its going to wear off my skin or chemically burn me I use gloves.

Handling sheetmetal I have kevlars.

Otherwise no gloves.

 

[garfunkle24]

I only wear gloves when I don't want to get my skin oils on parts, such as handling hydraulic pump parts and stuff prior to painting etc

 

[tarmy]

Metal work...always...

Woodwork...with drill press, tablesaw etc...no way...

Car/truck service repair...depends, usually no.

Yard work...usually yes.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Hard to break the habit of gloveless.

One thing I did learn after 60 years is that Thinsulate winter gloves are GREAT !

 

[yeldogt]

I have boxes of gloves in the truck (HVAC Svc, 39 yrs) and in my home shop.
I usually remember the gloves after I've gotten my hands dirty...

I grew up without them, but I do like having clean hands after working..

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I'm just a weekend worrier -- but, same.

I'm getting better ...

 

[ezover]

got tried of the grime and grease and started wearing gloves about 15 years ago.

it took some getting used to now i hate working with out them.

 

[Kev442]

Vinyl-latex-nitrile only when around paint and harsh chemicals. My hands are swimming in sweat within 5-10 minutes. Cheap cloth gloves like HFs RM for many things, especially metal work.
I usually think about gloves after I get greasy, but I have to take any glove off to start nuts and bolts anyway. Was doing an alternator job last week that didn't need gloves- I thought. Turned out the steel bolts were galled into the aluminum head and I had to pull hard on a short ratchet many times to get the stupid 2 1/2" bolts out. When the massive blister began to form, I remembered to put on gloves.

 

[56Mark]

No gloves i'm not a *****.

Might want to reconsider...you are what you eat they say.

 

[Jinks]

I never wear gloves! It's how I keep track of my tools. I just follow the blood trail back to where I used them last........

 

[CoogarXR]

Rarely use gloves. About the only mechanic task I 100% grab disposable gloves for is packing bearings. Everything else is bare hands.

Oh, and when I am carrying lumber or unloading at the landfill, I'll use leather gloves because I am sick of getting randomly stabbed, lol.

 

[cdestuck]

I’m 66 years old. Working many years without gloves and although I’ve tried them a couple of times, I just like the feel of skin to tool feeling. Not that hard to scrub off the grease.

 

[Ralf11]

I'm with the OP

OTOH, used engine oil contains toxins that can cross the skin barrier

OTOOH, an amateur doesn't face a whole lot of risk

 

[Black300zx]

If its something greasy/oily or if I'm using chemical degreasers to clean parts - always as long as I have them. I find that the thick nitrile gloves of the correct size are fairly comfortable and hold up well enough. The exception is if i'm working in a tight area or working with small parts where I need the extra dexterity.

I used my last pair up a couple weeks ago prior to doing a transmission swap on my Z and couldn't find any nitrile gloves anywhere. I picked up a pair of PVC or Latex coated mesh gloves from HF (similar to these) and I really grew to like them. They're a bit thicker, so a bit less dexterity, but one pair lasted through the entire removal/replacement job, they held up well to brake cleaner, and the mesh back kept them from filling up with sweat.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I'm another old guy, and old habits die hard. I'll wear them on occasion (cheap cloth utility gloves it's something that's really dirty and greasy, leather gloves if it's something that's hot) but normally I don't.

 

[topcok88]

I use gloves religiously both at work and at home. Individuals do not realize how many toxins exist in common substances. They are too inexpensive not to be protected. If you can’t afford it - you deserve it.


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[creativecars]

I am bad about not wearing gloves, even when I really should, and my hands are always rough because of it. I see videos where someone is doing auto repairs with gloves and think to myself, gloves are a pia. I should use them when painting, but usually don't. I should use them when welding, bus usually don't. The most I wear gloves is in the winter time, because I HATE the cold! Then I will wear gloves when painting, welding and working on cars, unless they get in my way. It is just something I never got used to.

 

[ScaldedDog]

Re: Does anybody do wrenching without gloves & why?

This old guy didn't used to, but got tired of dry cracked hands. I wore latex for awhile, which ripped constantly, but the HF 7mil nitrile ones are the bomb. (And unobtainable.) I could wear a set for hours, depending on the work. I've had to switch to the slightly more obtainable 5mil ones, and have been through several sets already today.

I like to go 4wheeling, and I've even started doing that in light mechanics gloves.

Mark

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[Copymutt]

Can’t wear gloves. No dexterity. Nitrile and latex sweat. Every time I try gloves I end up tossing em because you can’t do any with them on.

 

[CJM8515]

Id say I use nitrile gloves 95% of the time. Sick and tired of scrubbing myhands raw to get the grease and oil off. I have very large skin pores so they get filled with grime/dirt and dont seem to come clean easily.



Years ago when I was still a tow truck operator/mechanic I wore gloves sometimes, depending on the job. I went on vacation and 7 days later my hands were FINALLY clean. It was amazing lol. After that I started to wear them more.

 

[SpiderDave]

Oil, contaminates or chemicals, always. But with everything else, not really. If I think I'm gona be at the sink scouring my hands with a brush later, I'll grab a pair. If working on oil or grease and I get a handful or a glob of it that won't wipe off easily, then I change that glove real quick and keep going - easier. One big benefit of that is not having my wrenches and tools getting slippery and oily, then having to wipe them down more. I don't like the gloves, but I do like the benefits of using them when I remember to. I found the thicker black ones at HF have textured finger tips on both sides of the glove. That makes big difference. I also learned not to wear ones too big, they should be snug but not restrictive. You get your dexterity back that way and they tear far less because they aren't being pinched or snagged so much.

I wear them doing insulation too, it helps immensely. The newest trick I've learned is to wear those handkerchief thin (washable) cotton liner gloves and then a pair of nitrite or whatever over them. It soaks up any moisture, helps them not be so hot and sweat won't run down your elbows on a hot day. Fiberglass looooves to stick to moisture.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Oil, contaminates or chemicals, always. But with everything else, not really. If I think I'm gona be at the sink scouring my hands with a brush later, I'll grab a pair. If working on oil or grease and I get a handful or a glob of it that won't wipe off easily, then I change that glove real quick and keep going - easier. One big benefit of that is not having my wrenches and tools getting slippery and oily, then having to wipe them down more. I don't like the gloves, but I do like the benefits of using them when I remember to. I found the thicker black ones at HF have textured finger tips on both sides of the glove. That makes big difference. I also learned not to wear ones too big, they should be snug but not restrictive. You get your dexterity back that way and they tear far less because they aren't being pinched or snagged so much.

I wear them doing insulation too, it helps immensely. The newest trick I've learned is to wear those handkerchief thin (washable) cotton liner gloves and then a pair of nitrite or whatever over them. It soaks up any moisture, helps them not be so hot and sweat won't run down your elbows on a hot day. Fiberglass looooves to stick to moisture.

The dark blue 7 mil thickness ones at HF also have the knurled finger tips on them I use them as a professional mechanic and they work great in my opinion


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