Can You Use PVC Gloves for Lacquer Thinner?

Extreme caution should be used in handling lacquer thinner with any gloves.

Lacquer thinner, which is commonly used as a cleaning agent in manufacturing plants, is highly corrosive to plastics, including most materials that are used to make work gloves. Some glove options are better than others, but extreme caution should be used in all cases when handling lacquer thinner.

Ingredients

Lacquer thinner contains three principle ingredients of concern. The first is a keytone such as MEK or acetone, which will degrade nitrile, viton and PVC. The second ingredient is methanol, isopropanol or another form of alcohol, which can degrade PVA, and the third is a solvent such as xylene, which degrades PVC, rubber, butyl and neoprene.

PVC Gloves

Unless exposure is very limited or the PVC-dissolving ingredients in the lacquer thinner are very diluted, the use of PVC gloves to handle lacquer thinner is not recommended. The PVC material will dissolve quickly, exposing the skin to the lacquer thinner.

Alternatives

Newer laminated film gloves provide better chemical protection than PVC, but they are thin and may cut or tear easily. They also do not provide a solid grip. PlantServices.com recommends wearing laminated film gloves under another glove that provides grip and protection against cuts and tears. The site specifically suggests fabric-lined neoprene and nitrile gloves or heavy unlined nitrile gloves.

References

• Ansellpro.com: What Gloves Would You Recommend For Handling Lacquer Thinner?
• Plantservices.com: Questions About Gloves Link to Work Safety

Resources

• Woodworking.com: Forum