Latex or vinyl? Gloves, that is.

[northwind]

So... I've started wearing gloves more and more when working on the bike- partly to keep my hands clean, partly to stop carrying mud and cack from one part onto another, and onto tools, and door handles, and generally all over everything. Never used to, but they're great. I've tried vinyl and latex, both seem to have their advantages and disadvantages- latex is sometimes a little restrictive and can be very sweaty, and powderless gloves are a pain to get on (I use powderless as, well, I don't want to get talcum powder in my engine!) but they have really good feel and grip. Vinyl I think is easier to get on with but things feel a bit odd through them, not hard to pick stuff up etc but I think they're a bit more intrusive.

So... I just wondered what other people use? I'm fed up buying boxes for £7 from Halfords and B&Q when they can be had for peanuts from suppliers so I figure I might as well get a big box now...

[ooger]

I got a box of 100 pairs of latex ones for £2 from our local Friday market.

Seems to do the job, no talc or anything. Give it a go, if you've got one?

(I'd recommend not following my path and buying an assortment of phallic fresh veg and some WD40 at the same time though, that just looks odd by anyones standards.)

[tigersaw]

Neither - use Nitrile.
I suffer from dermatitis (though now under control) so have been using gloves for a long time, I get them provided by work and I buy them by the 1000 for home, (though I'm only on my second batch).
I was advised against latex by the hospital, told me they are not good for your hands in prolongued contact. I also have vinyl for quick 5 minute jobs, but the problem with them is that they don't fit snug, no elasticity.

I'd advise everyone to wear gloves when working with oily stuff, my dermatitis became so chronic I could not work, had to have hospital treatment and probably will be applying pescription creams to my hands for the rest of my days.

[northwind]

Ah, thanks Tigersaw, much appreciated. To be honest it's the non-snug-ness of the vinyl ones I quite like, but it does have its disadvantages. I might get a box to try out, never used those before...

[Speedy Claire]

I believe Nitrile are the best for working on bikes/cars

[ooger]

Quite honestly, this is the first box I saw, and have bought.

They do the job quite fine. But, things always do until you find something better.

[rictus01]

Blue food handler one's from mackro, cheap and work well, think they are vinyl, but not sure.

Cheers Mark.

[Grinch]

I use powderless latex, and it does get sweaty... to get them off and reuse them for quick jobs I blow them up and whip my hand out quick, works a treat. Plus I get them free off my brother....

[El Saxo]

I use the powderless latex ones too. I suffer with a form of eczema on my hands and so far have had no problems using them. They're pretty good in terms of tactility (is that even a word? :lol:) when working on stuff too, and I have no problems getting them on / off.

[Stu]

Are the Petrol statioon ones for diesel Vinyl then?

[Grinch]

They are just plastic and I don't have the hands of King Kong (or Bear) so they are a bit useless in that front.

[Dicky Ticker]

Apart from working on the bike I keep a pair in my pocket for heavy rain,brilliant under your biking gloves for keeping your hands dry. We tried various types but have found the heavy latex most snug and durable for oily/grease and fluid work-----MACRO specials

[Girth]

I'ver used both latex and vinyl for work and find that latex with stand brake fluid better and dont tear as easy so i use vinyl. I get them for £2-3 per 100 from local hardware shop

[Blue_SV650S]

I prefer latex, but they do tear easily and react to fuel. I always tend to start of with a pair, they get damaged and then rather than replace, I carry on and get just as mucky as if I had never put any on in the first place!! :D

[Stu]

I find that latex is better and dont tear as easy so i use vinyl.
:shock:

[Girth]

:shock:

:smt104:smt079

[Ceri JC]

Powderless latex for me. I'll even reuse them if they're not torn/absolutely caked in gunk.

[chazzyb]

I have both in the garage. For quick jobs where I want to keep clean - powdered latex are easy to get on. Anything else I use blue nitrile, as they're hydrocarbon-resistant and tougher. Try cleaning your chain with paraffin using latex gloves!

[Dangerous Dave]

I used to use powderless latex gloves when working on the bike, but with large hands I found they tend to tear easily. I now use the Mechanix fabric gloves, which I have been using for 3 years, and I find they are far better! I bought two pairs, one spare pair to wear when the others have been washed, and they clean up as good as new everytime. I use them at least once a week minimum doing all types of maintenance and modification work on my SV and other allsorted bikes.
http://www.professionalequipment.com/product_images/A406-5009_product.jpg

[Dan]

Finesse PF vinyl examination gloves are what I use, because they're cheap through NHS suppliers - £1.20 a box of 100 and they last well, give good feel and grip when wet.

[BoltonSte]

I use Nitriles myself, not on the bike though in the Chemistry lab, no powder and easy on, not too sweaty unless it's hot and I'm doing a lot (not very often) Quite snug but not restrictive with good senstivity.

But not that cheap. Well unless you borrow them from work.

Much better than vinyls and Latex ones I have used in the past.

[ejohnh]

I use both types for all dirty jobs - including the bike work. I only ever use them once cos they are a bugger to get on after being worn.

[northwind]

Cool, good food for thought here, cheers all.

[richwill68]

Hi Northy.

Try Nitrile mate. Use them at work and home; absolutely great.

What size are you? If you're having trouble getting some, let me know. I can always post you a box!;)

Drop me a PM.

Rich

[dirtydog]

I normally use latex powdered gloves. Northy i wouldn't worry about getting talc in your engine as your hands will get sweaty pretty quick and then the talc just sticks to your hands

[monkey]

Nitriles are good. Nothing worse than getting stuck in and the gloves split at a critical point of the "operation" rendering them completely useless.

[I'm_a_Newbie]

Want gloves? http://www.justgloves.co.uk/

Tim.

[Tigerrrr.......]

Hi, Northy/anyone.

Where can I get a box of Nitrile (purple?) powdered gloves in the Edinburgh area? Don't really want to pay £4.95 p&p for internet orders.

Cheers.

[northwind]

Don't know... Makro apparently but I don't have a card... Costco do I imagine, but likewise. Halfords sell latex ones I think, but it works out more expensive than internet orders. Screwfix maybe? Food wholesalers?

[21QUEST]

Search for Nitrile Gloves on Ebay.....should find some with postage at less than ?5.

The ones on Ebay seem to be Blue ,mind. I don't know if there s a difference apart from being a different colour.


Ben

[northwind]

Tigerrr....... has purple skin, he's just trying to get flesh-look.

[monkey]

Don't know... Makro apparently but I don't have a card... Costco do I imagine, but likewise. Halfords sell latex ones I think, but it works out more expensive than internet orders. Screwfix maybe? Food wholesalers?

Screwfix have trade counters now so if there's one near you they're bound to be a good price.

[northwind]

There's a Screwfix trade counter in Sighthill then, Tigerrr... Near Makro, just beside the Bank of Scotland building that looks like a nuclear bunker

[rictus01]

never found Screwfix to be very cheap for them to be honest, think you'll pay ?5-6 a box.

Cheers Mark.