Think of all the various health and safety warnings adorning the various bottles that sit in a garage: ganger to aquatic life, not to be ingested, corrosive.... the list goes on. Though they are pretty on the outside, cars are filled with nasty chemicals that would do you no good, including brake fluid, screenwash and engine oil. If you like getting grubby tinkering away, a decent pair of gloves can prove invaluable.
Why you'd want gloves for working on your car - How much do you value your knuckles and not having tetanus? A good pair of gloves will not only provide some extra protection against oils and other nasty fluids, but they'll also provide a small extra layer of protection should you accidentally clobber an exhaust manifold or brake disc. It'll also save you cash on having to use Swarfega to clean your hands after a long day wrenching.
Why you'd want cleaning gloves - Car cleaning involves using a lot of chemicals to shift oils and nasty debris, some of which don't play nice with skin. Particularly nasty chemicals like fallout remover and some acidic cleaners, in particular, can damage skin, while even gentle shampoos and other cleaners will dry your hands out if you're not careful.
A good pair of gloves will also help perfectionists avoid leaving finger marks on paintwork as they clean, polish and protect a car. Remember, skin is oily and these oils love showing up as smears on glass, paintwork and chrome.
The best garage gloves for home mechanics and cleaning
The best disposable gloves
Description
Disposable nitrile gloves may be simple, but they work. They offer fast protection against rough objects and nasty chemicals, though they are notorious for getting sweaty. The gloves are powder- and latex-free (good news for anyone with sensitive skin) and are available in small, medium, large and extra-large. The downside here is that they aren't environmentally friendly, but they are ideal for filthy work like changing old gearbox oil.
The best garage gloves for mechanical work
Description
Tough and reusable, these work gloves from Ansell may be slightly more expensive than the above, but they're really good quality. Designed to be worn for extended periods without causing excessive sweating or discomfort, they make use of Fortix abrasion resistance technology to ensure that your hands are kept safe as you work. These gloves are available in small, medium, large and extra-large.
The best garage gloves for some extra cleaning power
Description
A step up from merely protecting your hands, these silicone gloves from Muc-Off can enhance the cleaning process thanks to tiny noodles on the palm and fingers that'll help lather up cleaning products. We're not sure these will be much use for removing bolts or anything even remotely mechanical, however.
Tested 2022 - "Muc-Off may be better known for motorbike car but these gloves are equally suited to cleaning a car, even if the sensation is slightly odd. While a wash mitt is thick enough to give a degree of separation from the panel, these gloves force you to feel every curve and contour. The silicone structure and long sleeves also give it a medical feel that can be rather uncomfortable after a while. Still, there's no denying that they were effective at lathering up the cleaning product and helped clean every surface, no matter how small it was. It's a novel way of cleaning at the very least."
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