Can you touch the tubes?

I was talking to someone at the tube store about replacing some KT 150 tubes and he said it was perfectly fine to touch the tubes.

I've always thought you're supposed to handle these things very carefully with white gloves or a microfiber cloth.

Handling them with my fingers makes it easier to pull them out , insert them more securely.

Does it really matter if my fingerprints get on the glass or should I clean them off with a microfiber cloth after I touch them?

emergingsoul11-05-2023 5:41pm

newbee Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 4,751 posts 11-05-2023 at 06:20pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete The idea I think is you use cotton gloves to keep oil off the tubes. I stopped doing this years ago because I preferred the grip you got by using bare hands. You can wipe the 'oils' off with a cotton cloth if it bothers you. Personally I don't think it makes any meaningful difference.
mlsstl Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,399 posts 11-05-2023 at 06:38pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I suspect the white glove thing ties back to someone with a bad case of OCD and a good imagination. I've worked with tube gear for over 50 years now -- building, repairing and using -- and never had a problem handling tubes with my hands. No tube failure ever from that, and no appearance issues. Tubes are made of glass, and yes, glass can get dirty, but one can also clean glass. The only time I've ever used a cloth is if the tube needs to be handled while still hot. You don't want to burn your fingers.
jtcf Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,589 posts 11-05-2023 at 07:04pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete If you don't want to touch the tubes something that works well is a small piece of plastic wrap like Glad cling wrap.You can still get a firm grip on them. I used to do that when I first got into tube gear.If my hands are clean I don't worry about it anymore.