If you’re noticing dust leaking, abrasive blowing back, or sand escaping from your blasting cabinet, your first thought is usually:

 “My sandblasting gloves are broken.”
 “The gloves must be low quality.”

But here’s the surprising truth:
Most glove leakage issues are NOT caused by the gloves themselves.
They come from hidden problems in the cabinet, seals, or dust system.

This guide reveals why your sandblasting gloves seem to leak — and how to fix it fast.

1. The Real Culprit: A Poorly Sealed Glove Port

Even brand-new industrial gloves leak if the glove port / flange isn’t sealed correctly.

Common issues include:

• Loose clamp rings

• Cracked or old rubber flanges

• Gaps between glove cuff & cabinet port

• Misaligned glove mount after glove replacement

If there’s even a 2–3 mm gap, abrasive dust will escape under pressure.

Fix:

• Re-tighten clamp rings

• Replace brittle rubber ports

• Ensure the glove cuff sits evenly inside the mounting groove

• Use correct-size gloves (52–60 cm is standard for cabinets)

This single adjustment solves 50% of all “leaking glove” complaints.

2. Your Dust Collector Might Be Underperforming

Sandblasting gloves often get blamed when dust appears around the cabinet…

…but the TRUE cause is often low air extraction from the dust collector.

When the chamber becomes over-pressurized, dust escapes from:

• Glove cuffs

• Door seals

• Viewing window

• Cabinet joints

If your gloves “leak” when blasting heavily, ask yourself:

• Is the filter clogged?

• Is the dust collector too small for my CFM output?

• Is the hose kinked or blocked?

• Is the dust bag full?

Fix:

• Clean/replace filters

• Check airflow hoses

• Upgrade to a higher-CFM dust extraction unit

A healthy dust collector keeps the cabinet in negative pressure, preventing glove leakage entirely.

3. Abrasive Rebound Creates a “Fake Leak” Effect

High-velocity abrasive rebounds inside the cabinet and hits the glove wrist area.

Result?

• Dust sticks to the glove exterior

• Air blows the dust away

• It looks like the glove is leaking

But it’s not.

Signs this is happening:

• Gloves look powder-coated

• No actual crack or hole in the gloves

• Dust appears only during aggressive blasting

Fix:

• Use longer gloves (60 cm)

• Choose thicker 2-layer rubber gloves

• Install an internal rubber curtain to reduce rebound

4. Wrong Glove Size = Poor Seal + Dust Escape

Using the wrong size glove cuff creates micro-gaps.

For example:

• 8" glove on a 10" port

• Oversized glove stretching too tight

• Thin gloves that collapse under negative pressure

 What happens:

Dust finds the opening → escapes → looks like glove failure

Fix:

Always match glove cuff size to cabinet port size:

• 8-inch (200mm) standard cabinets

• 10-inch (254mm) industrial cabinets

• 12-inch (305mm) heavy-duty cabinets

5. Actual Glove Damage — But Hidden

Yes, sometimes the gloves are the problem — but damage is often hidden:

• Micro-tears near the wrist

• Wear cracks from abrasive impact

• Dry-rotting from old rubber

• Cuts from sharp metal parts inside the cabinet

Check these areas:

• Thumb and index finger (highest wear)

• Wrist fold area

• Palm center

• Cuff attachment point

Fix:

Upgrade to:

• Heavy-duty abrasion-resistant gloves (2–3 layer rubber)

• Nitrile-lined rubber gloves for chemicals

• Longer gloves for safer blasting distance

Conclusion: Stop Blaming Your Gloves — Fix the REAL Problem

In over 80% of cases, “leaking sandblasting gloves” are caused by:

1. Loose or worn glove ports

2. Weak dust extraction

3. Abrasive rebound

4. Wrong glove size

5. Cabinet overpressure

Only a small percentage is due to glove damage.

Before replacing your gloves, check the entire system — you’ll save time, money, and frustration.

Want Reliable, Heavy-Duty Sandblasting Gloves?

At HOLDWIN, we supply industrial-grade gloves designed for:

✔ High abrasion resistance
✔ Perfect cabinet sealing
✔ Longer life than standard rubber gloves
✔ Compatibility with most blasting cabinets
✔ Comfortable lining for long work sessions

Upgrade your blasting performance here:
→HOLDWIN Sandblasting Gloves & Accessories