Your favorite gloves to work on engines

M

mrsrobinson

Well-Known Member
Mar 9, 2006
7,704
Virginia
Boat Info
2001 380DA
Engines
Caterpillar 3126
After spending another day in the engine compartment removing hoses, clamps, bolts, etc. my hands are a mess with cuts. I have some pretty good nibral gloves but eventually they rip and my hands sweat in them.

I've been looking on Amazon this morning for some mechanics gloves, lots to choose from. What's your favorite?
 
Last edited:
none, can't use them. not for trying but never get them feel I need for the work. if I know I am going into a knuckle busting exercise then I keep a set of think leather gloves on the boat and I go to those. Otherwise you try and use the nitrile mechanics gloves, tougher than latex but still end up going through many and my hand sweat like pigs in a blanket in those so they just make your skin softer which leads to more cuts IMO.
 
It's funny, the last pair of mechanics gloves I bought turned into yard gloves, I just didn't like them for working on engines.
 
Like @ocgrant, I resort to leather gloves when I get into a knuckle-buster situation. Nitrile gloves if it's really greasy or something I don't want to leave fingerprints on (think painting, gluing). Other than that, nekkid.
 
I use Venom nitrile they don’t rip, however you can sweat in them in the heat. Mechanics gloves are great, usually don’t sweat but can’t use for every task as dexterity is limited. If it doesn’t involve fuel, oil, batteries or black water the gloves don’t come out.;)
 
For changing oil etc I use 6mil nitrile and for large engine parts I use "Mechanix" gloves when possible. But to be honest last time I replaced a turbo I was so pissed off I just started ripping things apart and didn't even put on work cloths let alone gloves. That's what showers and orange pumice is for. If you don't already have it, get this on the boat. https://www.amazon.com/NATURAL-ORAN...al&sprefix=orange+pumice,industrial,70&sr=1-2
 
Bleeder as well. Rainy today in T'bolt, so I am perusing the manuals for fuel/air mix information. Bilge later, no gloves, and I will pay as always.
20220829_135358_resized(1).jpg
 
I like the palm dipped cotton back gloves like these in a size that fits fairly tight. They give reasonable protection from scrapes and chemicals while keeping your hands dry and leaving you some dexterity. For very fine tasks they come off but its surprising how much can be done with them once you get the feel for them. if youre getting into really messy work the backs can get oil soaked but they are cheap enough to toss out after use.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0703.JPG
    IMG_0703.JPG
    95.1 KB · Views: 55
Wrenched since I was a kid.

I was a GLOVE DENIER my whole life.

When I traveled to CA for the surveys and CAT seatrial of my new to me 450DA, I met the Broker who is also a mechanic. He changed out the A/C raw water pump just before the survey. He extolled the virtues of using gloves.

During the sea trial, the CAT tech was also wearing gloves.

I called them as I saw them - both as pussies for using them, and I made all the classic arguments as written in this thread.

The broker left me a full box of blue gloves on the boat, so I thought, what the hell, I'll give them a try.

Funny.

Made a believer out of me.

I am using the 9mil thick heavy duty ones from HARBOR FREIGHT, and keep a couple of boxes in the fwd head at all times now.

Here's my trick - wipe your hands first with a good dousing of baby powder (also kept in the fwd head) first.

Reduces some sweat and makes them go on - oh so easy.

I've dun been converted - suggest anyone who gives them a try will be surprised.

I was !

BEST !

RWS
 
Depends on the project. HD nitrile black for me, but I also have mechanic's gloves that I have cut the finger tips off. I still get the "feel" of putting bolts, screws, etc. back together and some protection. I also just recently got arm sleeves. they are bulky & hot, but when you have to reach over a hot engine or into a "hostile environment" they are great.
 
LMBoat said:
Depends on the project. HD nitrile black for me, but I also have mechanic's gloves that I have cut the finger tips off. I still get the "feel" of putting bolts, screws, etc. back together and some protection. I also just recently got arm sleeves. they are bulky & hot, but when you have to reach over a hot engine or into a "hostile environment" they are great.
Click to expand...
I need sleeves because my old skin is now so thin it is easy to cut open. There's times I'll be messing around the garage and before I know it I'm leaving a blood trail without even realizing I'm leaking. Geesh....
 
When changing fluids I use nitrile, however I found these little gems at Northern Tool. They’re inexpensive and even though this picture doesn’t show it, they fit really nice and allow dexterity in your fingertips. They have a nice grip, however the coating is thin and wears off quickly, but I think that’s what makes them work for me.
They’re from Milwaukee Brand
https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200731283_200731283
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,172
Messages
1,427,834
Members
61,084
Latest member
AntonioJamm
Back
Top