Not a mechanic but I've torn into autos in my life witch will leave you greasy no matter what. I've always had good luck with Dawn dish soap and an old toothbrush...works for me.

 

I use these. They're pretty good.

 

IMO..latex gloves are the way to go. Once your done just whip em off and your clean.

 

I get lots of them from work...I double them up too :-) ...

 

yeah i always rock hand jimmies when im getting my mechanic on

 

Yup... I hate those style of gloves unless I'm working with fluids... otherwise I rock some "Mechanix" gloves for all the other stuff (engine, body, pulling transmissions (minus torque converter action), tune-ups, interior, tires, brakes, AC, etc etc)

 

alot of the younger mechanics here 18-25yo use the latex gloves....

 

They actually have those same exact latex glover here for use to use, but I cant stand them!!!

I only use them when it is required of us, like dealing with hyraulic fluid or whatever. I would still prefer not to wear them, but dont feel like getting written up for something so stupid.

 

Printer for 27 years, nothing like ink to turn your hands black! Used to use some type of cream similar to what was posted earlier, that helps. Latex gloves, doubled up help as well. But at the end of the day, they are going to be balck, whatever you do. Jules has given you the poor man's recipe for what used to be called GoJo or Swarfega (UK). It does work. Trust a Brit biker to know all the bodges!

 

Key thing is to use lotion before you start your day. Your hands absorb the lotion and is less likely to absorb all the grim. My hands are rough and when I work with grease it takes days for it to come off. When I use lotion they clean right up. I end up tearing a holein the gloves minutes after startingso I don't use them.

Mind you that is working a couple of hours on a motor not all day like you guys are doing.