There are the basics , clothing that won ' t melt , catch fire or catch sparks and slag , but will protect the skin from UV rays and hot particlesrespiratory protection beyond a dust mask for mild steel really isn ' t needed . However , getting galvanized or plated steel hot needs some analysisfire protection , either a fire bottle or a bucket of water , but clear the area of fuels , solvents , debris and such to 25 feet is a good idea . Preventing a fire is easier than putting one outtongs , welding gloves , safety glasses are the basics . When I weld , cotton jeans or coveralls , long sleeve cotton shirt , then either a welding jacket or flameproof coveralls , bifocal prescription safety glasses with side shields , welding helmet , gloves and steel toe leather shoes . Leathers are recommended for overhead work . Now , if you are actually melting and casting high temp metals , iron , steel , bronze then some of the reflective pyro suits are in order and they are expensive .