Kent’s Guide to Work Gloves for Auto Shops

Match the Right Glove to Every Task in Your Shop

In a busy shop, hands meet sharp panels, hot parts, solvents, flying debris, and—more and more—high voltage. Choosing “a glove” isn’t the job; choosing the right glove for each job is. This practical, bay-by-bay guide maps common automotive tasks to the protection techs actually need, so you can stock smart, reduce injuries, and keep work moving.

Breaking Down ANSI Ratings: What the Numbers Mean

Before we walk the floor, a fast decode of the labels you’ll see on most work gloves:

●     Cut resistance (ANSI/ISEA 105): Shown as A1–A9. Higher numbers mean more protection from sharp edges (think body panels or trimmed steel). Going higher can reduce feel and flexibility, so balance protection with dexterity for the task.

●     Puncture resistance (ANSI/ISEA 105): A numeric level indicating how well a glove resists punctures from things like shards or fasteners. Choose higher levels when technicians are reaching near hidden edges or drilling/cutting.

●     Impact protection (ANSI/ISEA 138): Level 1–3 rating for protection over the knuckles and back of the hand. Level 1 is light duty; Level 3 offers the most protection for heavy undercar or suspension work.

Most work gloves carry these designations. Disposable nitrile gloves are the exception—they’re great for fluids and cleanliness, but typically don’t include ANSI cut, puncture, or impact ratings. Use them when chemical splash, precision, and quick changeouts matter; step up to rated gloves when sharp or crush risks enter the picture.

The Right Choice for Oil, Coolant, and Quick Service

For day-to-day bay work around fluids, you’re balancing skin protection, grip, and speed. Disposable nitrile shines for quick tasks and to avoid cross-contamination between chemicals. For longer work or when sharp edges lurk under the hood, move to thin, coated knit gloves: a breathable shell with a nitrile or polyurethane (PU) coating delivers reliable grip on oily surfaces while adding baseline cut and puncture resistance. If a task involves prolonged solvent exposure, swap to chemical-resistant options designed for that specific chemical family—then switch back when you’re done to regain dexterity.

How to stock it: keep nitrile boxes at each bay, plus a rack with coated knits in common sizes. Post a simple “choose your glove” chart so techs don’t guess.

Cut-Resistant Grip for Body and Paint Work

This area is all about edges and finish quality. Choose cut-resistant coated gloves with an ANSI cut level that matches how often techs are handling raw or trimmed metal—often mid-range (A3–A5) for panel handling and prep. Where solvent splash is possible, step into chemical-resistant gloves and then return to your coated glove for assembly and finishing.

Tip: higher cut protection is helpful when moving raw doors/fenders, but keep dexterity high for masking, taping, and edge work.

Heat-Ready Gloves That Still Give You Control 

Welding needs a different balance: heat protection, durable leather, and enough feel to place a precise bead. MIG work typically tolerates a heavier split-leather glove for heat and spatter resistance; TIG demands more dexterity with thinner leather or specialty designs. If you’re cutting or grinding between welds, consider a hybrid setup—heat glove for the arc, then a cut-rated coated glove for handling freshly cut edges. Look for construction that protects the back of the hand from spatter and consider longer cuffs around fab tables. (If your team favors a specific model, standardize it to simplify reorders.)

Pairs well with: an auto-darkening helmet and sleeves for neck/forearm coverage.

High-Voltage Hand Protection for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

High-voltage work introduces electrical hazards that standard shop gloves don’t address. For tasks that expose energized components, use properly insulated electrical gloves designed for that voltage class. Build a routine for inspection, testing, and storage so they’re ready when needed, and train techs on task separation—rated electrical gloves for energized work; cut- or chemical-rated gloves for mechanical tasks before and after. Keep dedicated bins and signage in the EV/HEV bay so the right glove is always within reach.

Bottom line: electrical safety has its own rules—treat voltage-rated gloves as a system, not a substitute for your everyday work pair.

Impact Protection Where It Matters Most

Under the vehicle, hands meet crush points, pinch hazards, and jagged fasteners. Choose gloves with back-of-hand impact protection tested to ANSI/ISEA 138 (consider Level 2–3 for frequent suspension work) plus a durable, textured palm for grip on greasy components. Add cut resistance where sharp heat shields, clamps, or control arm edges are in play. Make sure cuff styles don’t snag in tight spaces; a short, close-fit cuff often works best around moving parts.

Pro move: stock one impact-rated style as your shop standard for undercar tasks to simplify training and replacement.

Why Glove Fit and Coatings Drive Performance

Fit matters as much as ratings. A glove that’s too loose catches; too tight fatigues hands and shortens wear time. Stock a full-size run, note which sizes move fast, and train techs to replace gloves on condition—if a coating is smooth and glossy from wear, cut protection is scuffed, or the fit is stretched, swap them out. Comfort drives compliance; compliance prevents injuries.

First Aid and Skin Protection

Hand protection doesn’t end when gloves come off. Stock hand cleaners that cut grease without harsh solvents, barrier creams for skin exposed to frequent washing or occasional splash, and a first-aid kit with finger wraps and antiseptics right in the bay, not just the office. A small, visible station turns minor cuts into three-minute detours, not three-day setbacks.

The Smarter Way to Equip Every Bay with Kent

The simplest way to win is to stock for the work you actually do. Create bay-specific assortments:

●     Fluids/General: disposable nitrile; thin coated knits (oil-grip).

●     Body & Paint: mid-cut coated gloves; chemical-resistant pair for solvent tasks.

●     Welding/Fab: heat glove plus a cut-rated handling glove.

●     EV: insulated electrical gloves with leather protectors; inspection log; storage tube.

●     Suspension/Undercar: impact-rated gloves with textured palms.

Kent can help you size the mix. Standardizing by zone reduces guesswork, speeds work, and trims injury risk—exactly the leverage a busy shop needs.

Hand Safety Made Simple

When you start with the job, the glove choice becomes obvious. Use ANSI designations to set the baseline—cut (A1–A9), puncture (level scale), impact (Levels 1–3)—and then tune by materials, coatings, and fit. Keep disposable nitrile for cleanliness and chemical splash, and step up to rated gloves when the work introduces edges, crushing, or heat. Round it out with hand-care and bay-specific stocking, and you’ll have a system that protects hands, preserves productivity, and simplifies buying.

Ready to kit your bays? Book a quick consult. We’ll walk your floor, map the work, and spec a glove mix—plus hand-care and first-aid—that keeps techs protected and productive, every shift.