In a car workshop, the hands are exposed to many different tasks during the day. Mechanics work with tools, spare parts, oil, grease, components and various liquids, and one type of glove is rarely optimal for all tasks.
The right work gloves for mechanics and workshops must therefore be chosen according to the specific work task.
For assembly and general mechanical work, grip, wear resistance and dexterity can be decisive. For other tasks, nitrile gloves or more specialized protective gloves may be necessary.
In this guide, we go over what you should look for when choosing gloves for professional workshop work.
What gloves do mechanics use?
In a professional workshop, several different types of gloves.
These can be, among other things:
- Assembly gloves
- Nitrile-coated work gloves
- PU gloves
- Nitrile gloves for single use
- Stronger work gloves
- Specialized protective gloves for specific risks
The choice depends on the work task.
A mechanic who assembles smaller components, for example, has different needs than an employee who works with heavy parts or certain chemical products.
Work gloves for general workshop work
For general mechanical tasks, the combination of grip, comfort, finger feel and wear resistance is often important.
The mechanic must be able to handle both tools and smaller components without the glove becoming unnecessarily bulky.
A flexible work gloves can therefore be relevant for, for example:
- Assembly and disassembly
- Handling spare parts
- Use of hand tools
- Stock work in the workshop
- Handling tires and components
- General maintenance tasks
The specific glove should always is chosen according to the work task and the risks associated with it.
Assembly gloves for mechanics
Assembly gloves can be an obvious choice for many workshop tasks.
This type of work glove is typically developed with a focus on flexibility and dexterity.
It can be an advantage when the mechanic works with bolts, screws, plugs, tools and smaller components.
Assembly gloves are available with different types of coating, for example PU and nitrile.
Different models can have very different properties, so the product's documentation and classification should always be checked.
MaxiFlex workshop gloves
MaxiFlex is a well-known series of work gloves that are used, among other things, for assembly and other tasks where dexterity and flexibility are important.
In a workshop, for example, a relevant MaxiFlex model can be used for various assembly and maintenance tasks.
However, this does not mean that MaxiFlex is automatically the right glove for everyone workshop tasks.
When working with specific chemicals, sharp objects or other special risks, the company must choose a glove that is documented to be suitable for the exposure in question.
Nitrile gloves for mechanics and workshops
Disposable nitrile gloves are also widely used in workshops.
They can be practical for various short-term work tasks where the employee wants a thin glove with good dexterity.
Nitrile gloves come in different thicknesses and constructions – from lighter models to stronger disposable gloves.
A stronger nitrile glove may be relevant for certain more demanding tasks, while a thinner model may be better when dexterity is a priority.
But the nitrile material does not automatically mean that the glove protects against all oils, chemicals or solvents. oil..
The specific glove's documentation must be checked.
Black nitrile gloves for mechanics
Black nitrile gloves are popular in many workshops.
The black color fits in practically in an environment where the employee often works with dark dirt, grease and oil.
However, the color does not say anything about the glove's strength or level of protection.
A black nitrile glove can be both thin or thick depending on the model.
When choosing black nitrile gloves, the workshop should therefore compare:
- Thickness
- Size
- Fit
- Surface and grip
- Documented properties
- Relevant standards
- The specific application
Which gloves should be used for oil and chemicals?
Here it is important not just to choose according to material.
Although nitrile is used in many gloves, different nitrile gloves can have very different properties towards chemical substances.
When working with oil, degreasers, brake cleaner, cleaning agents or other chemical products, the company should investigate the specific exposure and check the glove's documented suitability.
By chemicals, one should evaluate, among other things:
- The specific chemical
- The concentration
- Duration of contact
- Glove material
- Glove thickness and construction
- Producer's documentation
- Relevant chemical classification
An ordinary disposable glove is not necessarily an adequate chemical protection glove.
Grip is important in the workshop
A secure grip is important when the employee works with tools and components.
Work gloves are therefore manufactured with different surfaces and coatings.
A glove that works well in dry working conditions is not necessarily the optimal solution in other conditions.
The workshop should therefore choose gloves according to the actual work tasks rather than just buying one standard glove for everything.
Finger feel in mechanical work
A mechanic often works with small components.
Too thick gloves can make precision work more difficult, while a very thin glove may not have the properties required for a more demanding work task.
Therefore, a balance must be found between:
finger feel + comfort + grip + necessary protection.
This is one of the reasons why many workshops use several different glove models.
What does EN 388 mean?
For mechanical tasks, many professional work gloves will be classified according to EN 388.
EN 388 is used for protective gloves against mechanical risks.
The specific marking provides information about the product's tested properties.
This does not mean that all EN 388 gloves provide the same protection.
Therefore, always check the specific classification and product documentation in relation to the work task. See our guide to EN 388 marking before choosing a protection level.
What about sharp components?
If the work involves a risk of cuts, one should not assume that an ordinary assembly glove provides sufficient protection.
There are work gloves with different documented levels of cut protection.
If the risk of cuts is a significant part of the work task, the glove must be chosen according to the specific risk assessment and the necessary classification.
What size work glove should the mechanic use?
The fit is very important in a workshop.
A glove that is too large can reduce control over tools and small components.
A glove that is too small can limit freedom of movement and be uncomfortable throughout the working day.
The company should therefore have relevant sizes available so that the individual employee can choose a glove with the correct fit.
Disposable gloves or reusable work gloves?
One does not necessarily replace the other.
In many workshops it makes sense to have both.
Reusable work gloves can be used for various mechanical, assembly and handling tasks.
Disposable gloves can be relevant for other short-term work tasks and can be changed as needed.
A professional workshop can therefore advantageously define which glove type should be used for the various work functions.
How the workshop chooses the right gloves
Instead of buying one gloves for the entire company, the workshop can divide the need into work tasks.
For example:
Assembly and precision work:
Flexible assembly glove with good dexterity.
General workshop work:
Work glove with suitable grip, comfort and mechanical properties.
Short-term tasks requiring disposable gloves:
Relevant nitrile glove chosen depending on the work task.
Chemical exposure:
The glove is chosen specifically according to the chemical and the documented chemical resistance.
Cut risk:
Relevant glove with documented cut protection.
This approach makes it easier to buy the right products and standardize glove consumption on the workshop.
Work gloves for car workshops and mechanics
For professional workshops, gloves are an ongoing consumable.
Therefore the purchase price should not be assessed in isolation.
It is also relevant to look at:
- Durability
- Consumption per employee
- Comfort
- Grip
- Size range
- Work tasks
- Delivery security
- Documented properties
A glove that costs a little more per pair, can in some cases be more economical if it works better for the work task or lasts longer.
Buy work gloves for workshops at Nordic Safety
Nordic Safety supplies work gloves, assembly gloves, MaxiFlex and nitrile gloves for professional workshops and companies.
By combining different glove types, the workshop can choose the right solution for both assembly, general mechanical work and tasks where disposable gloves are used.
See our selection of work gloves for professional use.
Frequently asked questions about gloves for mechanics
Which gloves are best for mechanics?
There is no one glove that is best for all mechanic tasks. The choice depends, among other things, on the need for grip, finger feel, mechanical protection and possible contact with chemicals.
Why do mechanics use black nitrile gloves?
Black nitrile gloves are popular in workshops and make good visual sense in environments with dark dirt and grease. However, the color itself does not say anything about the glove's level of protection.
Can nitrile gloves be used for oil?
It depends on the specific glove and the exposure. The material alone is not sufficient to determine suitability. Check the product's documented chemical resistance.
Is MaxiFlex good for mechanics?
Relevant MaxiFlex models may be suitable for various assembly and workshop tasks where grip and dexterity are prioritized. The specific model must be chosen according to the work task.
What does EN 388 mean on work gloves?
EN 388 is a European standard for protective gloves against mechanical risks. The specific classification should be checked on the individual glove model.
See work gloves for workshop and assembly, and check the suitability of the individual model for the task.
See current assembly gloves: Premium Sandy Flex and black PU assembly gloves. Check the model and protection class for the work task.
