A workshop is hard on hands. In a single day a mechanic handles used engine oil, brake cleaner, coolant, degreaser, hot parts and sharp edges, and no single glove is right for all of it. This guide to the best gloves for mechanics matches common auto repair and workshop tasks to the type of glove that suits them, from disposable nitrile gloves to reusable mechanic work gloves, so workshop owners and purchasers can stock the right mix.

What mechanics’ hands are exposed to

• Used engine oil and grease. The UK Health and Safety Executive warns that frequent, prolonged skin contact with used engine oil can cause dermatitis and other skin disorders, including skin cancer, and recommends nitrile gloves to cut hand contamination (HSE: used engine oil).
• Solvents and brake cleaner. These strip the skin’s natural oils and some are absorbed through the skin. They also pass through thin gloves quickly, so a splashed glove should be changed, not worn on.
• Fuel and coolant. Petrol, diesel and glycol-based coolant are everyday contact chemicals in servicing work.
• Cuts, abrasion and pinch points. Sheet metal edges, hose clamps and engine-bay work tear thin gloves and skin alike.
• Wet work. Long hours in waterproof gloves, or repeated hand washing with harsh cleaners, dries and cracks skin.

Why nitrile is the workshop standard

Natural rubber latex swells and weakens in contact with oils and fuels. Nitrile is a synthetic rubber made to resist them. The US OSHA glove selection chart rates nitrile well above natural latex for petrol and diesel (OSHA 3151, Table 4). Nitrile is also latex-free, which avoids latex protein allergy in a shared workshop.

Disposable nitrile is designed for splashes and short contact. For soaking or immersion, such as parts washing, use a thicker reusable chemical-resistant glove.

What the research says

Findings from safety regulators and published studies, mostly from Australia, the UK and the US.

• In a 2019 survey of car repair workers, one in three mechanics reported hand dermatitis in the past year, and only about one in six workers wore gloves regularly (Zare Sakhvidi and others, AIMS Public Health).
• At a Melbourne occupational skin clinic, oils and coolants were involved in about a quarter of men’s work-related irritant dermatitis cases, and solvents in about a fifth (Safe Work Australia, 18 years of clinic data).
• The International Agency for Research on Cancer found that used petrol-engine oil caused skin tumours in laboratory animals, more than unused oil did (IARC Monographs vol. 100F).
• US investigators linked nerve damage in three automotive technicians to n-hexane in brake cleaner aerosols, and noted that latex gloves do not protect against organic solvents (CDC MMWR).
• A grip study at Loughborough University found the slipperiest combination tested was a greasy hand on a smooth surface, and that coarse textures held more friction than fine ones once hands were contaminated (Bobjer, 2004). That is the reasoning behind a diamond-textured glove.

Which glove for which workshop task

Beflex and ChemTough gloves are SIRIM registered.

Beflex coated work gloves are built for mechanical protection and grip. They are not liquid-proof, so wear disposable nitrile for oil changes and chemical handling.

Always check the safety data sheet (SDS) of the product you are handling. Section 8 names the glove material the manufacturer recommends.

How thick should a mechanic’s nitrile gloves be?

Disposable glove thickness is usually quoted in mil (one thousandth of an inch, about 0.025 mm) or by glove weight in grams. As a rough guide:

• 3 to 4 mil: inspections, diagnostics and quick jobs where gloves are changed often.
• 5 to 6 mil: general servicing and most day-to-day workshop tasks.
• 8 mil and above: heavy-duty nitrile gloves for engine-bay work, oil changes and jobs that tear thinner gloves.

Thicker gloves resist tearing and give more time before a chemical breaks through, at the cost of some fingertip feel. The exact thickness of each Bergamot glove is on its datasheet in the table above.

Six glove habits for the workshop

1. Put gloves on before the sump plug comes out, not after the first spill.
2. Treat disposable gloves as single use. Do not wash and re-wear them.
3. Change a glove as soon as it is torn or soaked in solvent. Chemicals can pass through a glove that still looks intact.
4. Never clean hands with petrol, thinner or brake cleaner. Use a proper hand cleaner.
5. Do not keep oily rags in overall pockets; the oil soaks through to the skin.
6. Barrier cream helps with washing up but does not replace gloves. Moisturise after work and check hands regularly for redness or cracking.

Getting the size right

A glove that is too tight tears at the thumb and tires the hand; one that is too loose snags and loses grip. Measure across the palm just below the knuckles and compare with the standard widths for nitrile examination gloves (ASTM D6319):

When buying for a team, ask each person for their size instead of ordering one size for everyone.

Buying for a workshop or distributing to the trade

In Malaysia, the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 and the USECHH Regulations 2000 require employers to assess chemical exposure and provide suitable protective equipment. Most workshops keep two gloves on the shelf: a heavy-duty disposable for servicing and a thin disposable for quick jobs, plus coated work gloves for assembly and cut-resistant gloves for sheet metal.

Bergamot is a Malaysian supplier of mechanic gloves, supplying nitrile gloves wholesale by the carton to workshops, fleet operators and automotive distributors, with private-label packing for importers. Contact us, email info@bergamot.com.my or WhatsApp +6012 714 4186 for samples, specifications and bulk pricing.

Frequently asked questions

Are nitrile gloves resistant to brake cleaner?

It depends on what is in the can. Disposable nitrile gives short splash protection against many workshop solvents, but some solvents get through in minutes. Check the SDS, change a splashed glove straight away, and use a reusable solvent-resistant glove for longer contact.

Why do mechanics prefer black nitrile gloves?

Black hides oil and grease stains, so the glove looks clean for longer in front of customers. Orange is chosen where high visibility matters. Colour does not change the protection; thickness and material do.

Can latex gloves be used in a workshop?

Latex is not recommended for oil and fuel work because it degrades on contact with petroleum products. Nitrile is the better choice.

What are the best disposable gloves for mechanics?

For servicing and oil changes, choose a heavy-duty nitrile glove with a textured grip, such as Grip-X. For inspections and quick jobs, a thinner nitrile glove such as SE Black or MaxProtect is more economical because it is changed often.

How do Bergamot gloves compare with reusable mechanic gloves such as Mechanix Wear?

Brands such as Mechanix Wear are known for reusable synthetic-leather mechanic gloves. Bergamot’s reusable range is Beflex: coated knit work gloves built for grip, abrasion resistance and cut protection. Neither type is liquid-proof, so mechanics pair them with disposable nitrile gloves for oil and chemical work.

More glove guides by trade

• Gloves for panel beaters and spray painters
• Gloves for car detailers
• Gloves for plumbers
• Gloves for concreters and tilers
• Gloves for carpenters and builders
• Gloves for painters and decorators
• Gloves for kitchens and food handling
• Gloves for cleaning and pest control

General information only. Follow the safety data sheet for the products you use and your local workplace safety regulations.