Is using latex gloves when building a PC safe?

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Interitus

Platinum Member
Jan 28, 2004
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Kind of an odd question, but I'm about to wrap up my 920 build and I was curious as to whether using latex gloves could harm PC parts during the build, like the GPU or motherboard. It's not vital that I use them, I just planned on taking a lot of pictures to show off the rig when I get done and wanted to keep the parts as fingerprint-free as possible without going back and cleaning everything.
 
M

MStele

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Sep 14, 2009
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That is a pretty odd question considering most of the components you would touch don't have surfaces that would carry a finger print.Just build your machine and when your done wipe whatever surfaces are smudgy. Gloves are overkill IMO
 
fffblackmage

fffblackmage

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Dec 28, 2007
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I'm sure it's perfectly safe. I remember seeing latex gloves being worn in a few MaxPC articles, so I don't think its a particularly odd question.
 
Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

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May 24, 2003
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I remember when I assembled my clear acrylic case, it came with these cloth gloves as the acrylic surface is very prone to finger prints. Maybe you can buy such gloves somewhere? They would probably work better and be more comfortable then latex. Latex would probably get cut when you're handling sharp surfaces too, like motherboard edges etc.
 
I

Interitus

Platinum Member
Jan 28, 2004
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RedSquirrel said:
I remember when I assembled my clear acrylic case, it came with these cloth gloves as the acrylic surface is very prone to finger prints. Maybe you can buy such gloves somewhere? They would probably work better and be more comfortable then latex. Latex would probably get cut when you're handling sharp surfaces too, like motherboard edges etc.
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Good point. Didn't think of that.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I don't necessarily have to use latex gloves, I just need to get the rig up and running this weekend, so I'd have to find something to purchase locally as I'm getting near the easy exchange dates for some of the new hardware.
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

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Nov 30, 2004
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Cotton jersey gloves. You can get them at convenience stores for not too much money, or Home Depot dirt cheap. They come in bundles also, and are handy for emergencies. Keep some scattered around(car's a good choice) in case you need them.
 
O

oynaz

Platinum Member
May 14, 2003
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Won't latex gloves increase the risk of damaging something with a static discharge quite a lot?
 
M

mfenn

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Jan 17, 2010
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lxskllr said:
Cotton jersey gloves. You can get them at convenience stores for not too much money, or Home Depot dirt cheap. They come in bundles also, and are handy for emergencies. Keep some scattered around(car's a good choice) in case you need them.
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This.

OP, if you have a Home Depot nearby, check out these. They'll be a lot more comfortable and work better than latex.
 
I

Interitus

Platinum Member
Jan 28, 2004
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Well I didn't get around to finishing the build this weekend, it was my birthday so I spent most of the weekend in an intoxicated state, lol.

I picked up some of these at Wal-Mart, but I'm not sure if they'll do the job or not. They're nitrile latex-free gloves, but I can't seem to find any info on whether they're ESD safe.

http://www.mrcleangloves.com/mrclean/ProductType.cfm?Type=c_disp&Level=Detail&Group=0812

They were only $1.25 so even if they don't work out, no big deal. I'll probably attempt to finish up the build on Wednesday or Thursday, maybe I can snag some cotton jersey gloves before then.
 
Fayd

Fayd

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Jun 28, 2001
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Interitus said:
Well I didn't get around to finishing the build this weekend, it was my birthday so I spent most of the weekend in an intoxicated state, lol.

I picked up some of these at Wal-Mart, but I'm not sure if they'll do the job or not. They're nitrile latex-free gloves, but I can't seem to find any info on whether they're ESD safe.

http://www.mrcleangloves.com/mrclean/ProductType.cfm?Type=c_disp&Level=Detail&Group=0812

They were only $1.25 so even if they don't work out, no big deal. I'll probably attempt to finish up the build on Wednesday or Thursday, maybe I can snag some cotton jersey gloves before then.
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those are NOT ESD free.

i'm telling you, if you want esd free and decent gloves, buy some anti-static gloves. it's a small price to pay if what you want is no fingerprints.
 
L

lumbus

Member
Jul 29, 2005
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Well just don't get the powdered latex gloves... That would make a mess that would not look good in the pics. ;)
 
I

Interitus

Platinum Member
Jan 28, 2004
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Ugh, this is turning into more of a headache than I thought, lol.

I guess I'll just order some anti-static gloves from somewhere. I just didn't want to have to wait for them to come in the mail. I looked at a number of retailers but I can't find anything around here. I don't have a lot of electronics stores near me, but I've tried almost all of them including:

Best Buy
OfficeMax
OfficeDepot
Radio Shack

Any other ideas on what kind of B&M retailer might have some?

-edit

I do have wrist straps as well, just really didn't want to use them since my case is painted black. They're the alligator-clip type so even finding exposed, unpainted metal would be difficult.
 
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mpilchfamily

mpilchfamily

Diamond Member
Jun 11, 2007
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fffblackmage said:
I'm sure it's perfectly safe. I remember seeing latex gloves being worn in a few MaxPC articles, so I don't think its a particularly odd question.
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The guy pictured in those articles was asked about the gloves in a mail bag question. Basically the art department of the mag told him he had to wear them since he didn't have good looking hands.
 
T

thinkdunson

Junior Member
Apr 29, 2011
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it doesn't matter what kind of gloves you use. you could use plate male gloves as long as you always use an ESD strap. as long as your body is at the same electrical potential as the circuit, then so is anything else on your body, such as gloves. and you obviously only need one wrist strap, not three. the gloves are touching your body and the wrist strap should be on your body. most circuit boards have chassis ground routed to a screw hole or something. that's where you should be grounded. if you can't get the alligator clip on there, just make sure you keep a finger on that bare metal as long as you're handling the board, or if you need both hands for something, keep touching it every few seconds to keep your body's potential the same as that of the board. simply moving causes static to build up. and of course handle circuit boards by the edge as much as possible. try not to touch any components or bare wire soldered to the board... even if you are wearing a wrist strap.
 
Puppies04

Puppies04

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2011
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Sorry thinkdunson I have to majorly disagree with you, wearing an antistatic wristband to ground your body will not prevent ESD building up on latex gloves as they are non conductive. The rest of your body will be grounded but there is a chance you could build up a charge on the outside of the gloves.

If you want some proof go blow up a balloon and rub it against your hair for a bit and stick it too a wall, notice only the side you rubbed sticks. Now go stick an antistatic wristband on and ground yourself and touch the balloon, i bet you it is still stuck to the wall as the rubber can't conduct the ESD through the balloons skin to the side you are touching

P.s You are correct in assuming plate mail gloves would be fine as they would conduct any charge to your body which would be grounded via the wristband, although i think building a pc with plate mail on might be a tad tricky
 
Puppies04

Puppies04

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2011
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oynaz said:
But that would require three wriststraps, not one, right? The gloves are insulators, so you would need one for the right glove, one for the left, and one for your body.
Click to expand...

No that wouldn't work either as no matter where the wrist straps were touching the latex a charge could still build up on another part of the gloves
 
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