GET THE PROPER SIZE!

I have never seen a "glove post" here, so let me be the first.

I would think by now pretty much everyone realizes how toxic some of the chemicals we use on our guns, cars, motorcycles, equipment etc. is. that said, I'd bet many still do not where protective gloves. Today there really isn't a valid excuse since they are sold pretty much everywhere now days.

Maybe not macho to wear them, but I will admit that for the past 15 years or so I wear them pretty much anytime I use solvents, oils, greases, etc. Not only do they protect the skin from absorbing the toxins, but they keep your hands clean and nice to touch your wife or husband with.

Costco is where I get mine and my preferred type are the nitrile gloves. I don't care much for the vinyl type as they rip way too easily! The ones Costco sells run about $20 buck (last time I bought some - 2 months ago) for 200 pair (400 gloves). I believe they are 3.7 mil thickness which is strong enough for gun cleaning and most tasks without breaking the bank. I also get some stronger & thicker 6 mil thick gloves for use when working on a car of MC as they are less likely to get torn but are really not necessary for gun cleaning and they cost much more.

Just figured I'd mention this as many I see still clean their guns barehanded. Not trying to be "Safety Sally" but sometimes reading something in print helps reenforce what we already know we should be doing.

So take this thread for what you want - just sort of a PSA.

Thanks for the heads up on Costco. I’m down to about 4-5 pairs left .

Good suggestion!

I’ve been using surgical type gloves to clean handguns for a number of years. A vendor at a show had 200 packs of XL nitrile gloves for $5/box and I bought 4 of them. I’m down to about a box and a half now. I didn’t know what I was missing!

Not only do they keep your hands clean, they also help keep your fingers from splitting. Most of my pistol shooting is done in the winter, when I work as an RO at our club indoor range. The tips of my fingers would often split and I assumed it was just from the dry winter air. The solvents must really dry your skin out, because I haven’t had my fingers crack since I started wearing the gloves.

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"I also cook."

Great reminder. I am guilty of not wearing them all the time.

I've worn nitrile gloves and eye protection when cleaning my guns for several years. However, about a year ago I switched to non-toxic cleaner and lube, so I haven't been using my gloves, mostly out of laziness. *shrug* Still wear eye protection, though nowadays it's my reading glasses instead of safety glasses.

Been using Hope’s #9 for 65 years without problems, but a few years ago I switched to “Simple Green” for routine cleaning and don’t wear gloves with that. It’s supposed to be completely non-toxic (if we can believe labels) but cleans very well.

Yup, I know that Simple Green is a good cleaner because I have a few gallons of it that I use around the house (usually diluted 10:1). That said, it is also a water based product and any left inadvertently inside a gun could cause rust. Where you live in NV it is hot and dry and so that concern is minimized, however I couldn't bring myself to use a water based product on my guns in most locations where humidity and temperature change is higher.

If Simple Green works for you then yes, it seems to be pretty safe AFAIK.