United States EPA 744-F-00-005 

Environmental Protection Agency November 1999, Revised June 

Design for the Environment, Auto Refinishing Shop Project 

2000 

CHOOSING THE RIGHT GLOVES FOR PAINTING CARS 

Why should car painters wear gloves? 

Gloves help keep you safe and healthy! Chemicals in paints can pass through skin and enter your body. 

Some of these chemicals cause health problems, even in small amounts. To protect yourself, wear chemicalprotective gloves every time you handle paint materials, and especially during paint mixing, spraying, and gun 

cleaning. Painters should also wear chemical-resistant clothing, eye protection, and an appropriate respirator as part 

of a complete protection program. 

NOTE: This guide provides insights into some of the chemical-protective gloves presently available that may be 

used by auto refinishers. It is not intended to be used as a glove selection guide. 

What is the most important consideration when selecting gloves? 

Above all, the gloves you use must provide a protective barrier to the toxic chemicals in paints. Of primary 

concern are solvents, which typically have the fastest glove pass through times and pose serious health concerns. 

Solvents also damage your skin, which makes it easier for chemicals such as isocyanates to enter your body. 

Isocyanates are strong irritants and can cause allergic reactions to the skin and internal organs. Gloves that protect 

against solvent exposure should provide a barrier to other chemicals as well. (Sources for information on gloves and 

their chemical resistance are listed on the back of this page.) 

What chemicals should gloves protect against? 

Painters need to protect their hands, and other parts of their bodies, from a wide variety of toxic chemicals 

used in auto refinishing. Thinners, primers, basecoats, and clearcoats all contain dangerous chemical ingredients. 

The following lists indicate some typical ingredients in paint coatings: 

Of course, the 

chemicals in paint 

materials vary from one 

paint manufacturer to the 

next. Painters and shop 

owners should refer to the 

manufacturer’s material 

safety data sheets 

(MSDSs) for a complete 

list of product ingredients. 

The ingredients with stars (*) are all organic solvents—common chemicals in paint coatings. 

Remember, paint 

shops use many toxic 

chemicals. Your 

gloves must protect 

against all of them! 
CHOOSING THE RIGHT GLOVES FOR PAINTING CARS (Page 2)
 

What type of glove makes the most sense for car painters? 

Don’t make your choice based on price alone! All gloves do not provide the 

same level of protection. Latex gloves, for example, offer little or no protection 

because they rapidly degrade after being exposed to many chemicals found in paint 

materials. Latex gloves are not a good choice for most painting tasks. 

Nitrile gloves, in contrast, provide a better 

barrier to paints and organic solvents—the chemicals 

that are some of the toughest on gloves. Because they 

protect well and are durable, nitrile gloves (which cost 

about $10.00 for a box of 100 pairs) offer good value for your safety dollar. Of 

course, even nitrile gloves would not provide adequate protection against all chemicals 

for all tasks. 

Certain strong solvents used in paints and for clean-up, like methyl ethyl 

ketone (MEK), pass through nitrile gloves. Nitrile gloves should not be used for tasks 

where direct immersion of gloves in MEK lasts longer than a few minutes. Other 

glove types, like butyl rubber, provide a stronger barrier to MEK and similar 

chemicals, but these gloves are very expensive and might not offer painters the “feel” they need for most 

tasks. 

Ultimately, shop owners should work with their painters and glove distributors to identify the right gloves:

Remember: In a paint shop you’re exposed to many chemicals that pass through gloves at varying rates. The 

right glove must protect you from the chemicals that penetrate gloves fastest . 

ones that protect against auto refinishing chemicals, fit comfortably, suit the task, and are a good protection value. 

How often should painters change their gloves? 

When to change gloves depends on the glove type, thickness, and condition of use. It’s always best to 

consult with the glove manufacturer to find out how often gloves should be changed. Before any task, painters 

should carefully inspect their gloves for cuts, tears, or punctures. Painters should immediately change gloves that 

show signs of wear! 

How can I get more information on chemical-protective gloves? 

Talk to glove manufacturers and distributors, listed in most phone directories. These companies offer technical 

advice—and often free samples—to prospective clients. Your distributor of paints and 

personal protective equipment might also provide these services. 

Consult with Mary Cushmac (202-564-8803, cushmac.mary@epa.gov) or David DiFiore 

(202-564-8796, difiore.david@epa.gov) of the DfE Project Team. 

THE DESIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AUTO REFINISHING SHOP PROJECT’S GOAL IS TO WORK WITH AUTO
 

REFINISHERS TO IDENTIFY AND ADOPT SAFER, CLEANER, MORE EFFICIENT PRACTICES AND TECHNOLOGIES.
 www.epa.gov/dfe/autobody/autobody.htm 

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