Top 5 Best Safety Glasses for Auto Mechanics (2021 Review)

Written by propositioncpa in Eye Protection

Safety Glasses for Auto Mechanics
When working on cars, there are a lot of things that are constantly in motion. Due to this, good safety measures are incredibly important. Protecting your eyes from different fuels and other liquids while on the job site is vital, so a good pair of safety glasses can make a massive positive impact on your safety and that of those around you. Let’s take a look at what makes a pair of safety glasses good for use in the automotive industry and explore five of the best safety glasses for auto mechanics that you can easily find online!

Safety Glasses for Mechanics – Buying Guide

When buying something so vital and important as the protective shield to keep your eyes safe from fluids and debris in your shop, chances are you want something that will first and foremost work well. Aside from that, there are some factors you must consider when making your decision. Let’s take a look at what exactly makes for a good pair of safety glasses for auto mechanics to help you along in your journey to make an informed buying decision.

Why Do Mechanics Need Safety Glasses?

Mechanics are exposed to a lot of things while working, including hazardous fluids, caustic chemicals, and fragmented pieces of materials like metal, glass, or other small slivers that can irritate or damage the eye. Due to this, it is recommended that all mechanics all wear glasses while working to minimize the risk of eye injury or exposure to harmful chemicals.

Safety glasses should provide protection to both the front of the eye area and the peripherals. This means that you are protected from all angles, allowing you to work confidently and safely regardless of other things occurring around you. The peripheral protection is especially important, as it keeps you safe from things you otherwise cannot control, like debris coming from your coworkers’ projects or other locations, including windblown debris.

The mechanic safety glasses should also be shatterproof. Sometimes accidents happen and occasionally this may result in pieces of metal or other objects breaking off. If this happens to strike glasses that are not shatterproof, the glass could break and end up resulting in glass and other pieces from the glasses themselves causing eye injuries.

Due to these risks, you should always research your glasses. If you are here, you are on the right track!

What is the Different Between Glasses and Goggles?

The main difference between mechanic goggles and glasses concerns the allowance of air and particulate matter around the face. While glasses will protect you well in most situations, there are some instances where goggles would be a better choice due to the fact that it seals to the face and prevents anything from reaching the eye area.

Mechanic goggles are similar to those that are worn in the chemistry lab of your high school or middle school at one point or another. A band holds the goggles to the face, creating a seal that prevents any debris from getting into your face. Some even act as a waterproofing agent, preventing liquids from becoming close to the eye area via a physical barrier. This is not true of all goggles, so be sure to read specifics for a water-tight sealant’s presence or absence from the design.

Does OSHA require mechanics to wear goggles?

OSHA does require all employees within industrial environments to wear personal protective equipment. This includes goggles. While some mechanics do not wear these tools, it is important to research them and consider them while working to protect their eyes. There are a lot of caustic substances and tools that cause fragmentation of metal and glass particles, along with dust and general dirt and grime, all of which can seriously impact the health of your eyes and damage your vision in the long run.

Even if an injury does not cause severe discomfort or other issues upfront at the occurrence of interaction with the contaminant, you cannot predict if permanent damage is done. Things like corneal tears and other injuries can result in severe vision impaction in the future. Your health is very important and comes before comfort at the end of the day; it is very important to be sure to protect yourself not only to prevent injuries but to also help keep your body healthy longterm for future work.

Let’s take a look at some products that could help keep you safe while working under a plethora of different conditions.

For more information about safety glasses for auto mechanics, watch this video.

Best Safety Glasses For Auto Mechanics

Having good quality tools at your disposal to keep you safe is key in ensuring you can work comfortably and without injuries. All of these products are viable options to assist in protecting your eyes as you complete your job. They were selected due to several cumulative factors, including price, customer reviews, and product specifications, among other things. Let’s take a look at four more of the best safety glasses for auto mechanics.

Product Name

Design

Material

Lens

Polarization

Rim

Tint

Lens Coat

Nose Pads

Adjustment

Weight

Comfortability

Durability

Pros

Cons

Price

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate

Yes

Semi

Yes

Anti-fog

Rubber

16

40.8 g

8.5/10

9.0/10

Multiple lens tints, extensive adjustment, durable

Flashy, Slightly heavy

Buy on Amazon for $11

Nylon

Polycarbonate

No

Full

Yes

Anti-fog

In-built

0

31.7 g

7.5/10

8.0/10

Extremly durable, full frame

outdated design

Buy on Amazon for $21.79

Thermoplastic Polyurethane

Glass

No

Full

No

Anti-fog

In-built

2

100 g

6.5/10

7.5/10

Full gas sealed protection, superb grip

Very bulky, causes marks

Buy on Amazon for $16.99

Rubber

Polycarbonate

No

Rim less

No

Anti-fog

Rubber

2

36.2 g

7.0/10

8.5/10

Light in weight, LED attachment

Fragile, difficult to find good fit

Buy on Amazon for $24.46

Uvex by Honeywell Avatar Safety Glasses


Uvex by Honeywell Avatar Safety Glasses
As a very affordable option, the Uvex glasses created by manufacturer Honeywell provides a lot of protection despite the small price tag. These glasses come in a host of different styles to provide protection for a host of different appearance aesthetics and varied lens covering options to provide customized support and comfort while you are out on the job site. These options include anti-scratch, anti-fog, and anti-glare coatings, along with different lens tinting. This means you can choose which best suits your needs and unique preferences while you work. These glasses also have fourteen points of adjustment, allowing you to move and manipulate these glasses to suit your face and head shape. The frame is ultra-light and has anti-slip grips to keep them in place regardless of what angle you are working, saving you wasted effort fussing over glasses that keep sliding down your nose. Plus, the wraparound peripheral guard protects you from the side, as well, without feeling overly bulky or uncomfortable. For the price, these are some of the best safety glasses for machinists and the best safety glasses for metalwork in general.
Pros
Cons

BUY ON AMAZON

Ergodyne Skullerz Odin Anti-Fog Safety Glasses


Ergodyne Skullerz Odin Anti-Fog Safety Glasses
As one of the most diverse options, the Erodogyne Skullerz Odin Anti-Fog Safety Glasses are an amazing, versatile option with tons of different lens coatings and finishes available to assist you in finding the perfect workplace eye protection style to suit your needs and preferences. There are actually forty-five different styles with varied lens coatings and tints, allowing for work in a light, dark, high condensation, and a host of other environments with ease and confidence. These automotive safety glasses meet ANSI Z87.1+, CSA Z94.3 & MIL-PRF 32432 Ballistic Impact Requirements, making them suitable for most industrial work and locations. The scratch-proof lenses protect against 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays. The comfortable, relaxed fit includes an extra, optional foam insert for added cushioning, as well. As some of the best otg safety glasses, these are great for purchasing in bulk for teams due to the presence of easily adjustable aspects and the mass of options you can allow your staff to choose between.
Pros
Cons

BUY ON AMAZON

Safety Glasses with Clear, Fog-Free, Anti Scratch and UV Protection


Safety Glasses with Clear, Fog-Free, Anti Scratch and UV Protection
Another product that meets the ANSI Z87. 1+ standards for optical and impact protector requirements, Safety Glasses are a great low-cost option that will serve as a great UV protective lens, as it blocks out 99% of harmful UVA and UVB rays. The anti-fog and anti-scratch lens coatings work to extend the durability and longevity of these glasses, saving you money in the long run by allowing you to continue using these for the life of the frames. The crystal clear lenses are great for allowing a comprehensive view that is unimpeded by unnecessary tinting, while others are optionally tinted for those who work in bright light venues. The brand also notes that the style is appealing and attractive and the color selections are modern, allowing you to find a piece to suit your own unique stylistic preferences, as well.
Pros
Cons

BUY ON AMAZON

3M Light Vision 2 Protective Eyewear


3M Light Vision 2 Protective Eyewear
If you are looking for something with a little extra power, these glasses from 3M will definitely provide just that. Perfect for dim lighting situations, these glasses provide a crystal clear view with amazing shatter-protection options and ballistic coatings to prevent scratching and breaking. The frames are flexible to fit a wide variety of facial shapes and provide a comfortable connection to the face that is not overly tight while providing anti-slippage traction. The real selling point of these glasses has to be the addition of two little lights on either side, allowing workers to keep their hands free while working on projects, which can greatly minimize the presence of injuries and exposure to chemicals. Additionally, the returns and customer service for this company appear to be of good standing, as they have received kind remarks in reviews concerning their treatment of customers and clients who purchased these auto safety glasses.
Pros
Cons

BUY ON AMAZON

Safety Glasses for Auto Mechanics FAQs

Can you get prescription safety glasses?

Yes, there are plenty of different options out there to obtain prescription safety glasses. Some people opt to purchase frames and remove the stock lenses in order to replace them with prescription lenses. Others opt to buy prescription safety glasses outright either through their eye doctor or through online retailers or specialty shops.

What are the best anti-fog safety glasses?

Lens fogging is caused by tiny water droplets collecting on the surface of glasses lenses when they are significantly cooler than temperature than the surrounding environment. Many brands have added anti-fog coatings to their glasses to prevent this from happening; this prevents the water collection that causes the fog and allows the wearer to have to fuss less with their lenses in order to keep them clear and clean.

How do you keep your glasses from fogging?

Since glasses fog due to water droplets, the best way to prevent fogging is to create a hydrophobic surface that will repel and resist the presence of the water. This can be done by using anti-fog coatings or anti-fog wipes. Some people also report success with using a small amount of bar soap that is buffed into the lens or shaving cream. Anti-fog pastes and sprays are also very popular within glasses wearers since they are easy but can be messy and leave a residue.

Conclusion

While you are supporting drivers via fixing their cars, these safety glasses can help keep you safe, as well. Do your research and look over the specifications to figure out what best suits your needs and preferences. If you take the time to look over your options, you are sure to find something perfect!

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