I have spent years wrenching on cars in my home garage, and during that time, I have gone through hundreds of cans of both Penray and CRC brake cleaners. In my experience, choosing between these two options involves looking past the shelf price to understand how each chemical behaves under greasy, real-world conditions. This guide will walk you through the practical performance differences to help you choose the right solvent for your next brake job.
Penray 4820-12PK Chlorinated Brake Cleaner
I turned to Penray 4820-12PK when dealing with stubborn, baked-on grease that refused to budge with lesser solvents. This heavy-duty chlorinated cleaner contains Zero VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds), which makes it highly effective while complying with strict environmental standards in areas where VOCs are heavily regulated. Watching it instantly liquefy caked-on dirt showed me how easily it cleans and degreases brake shoes, drums, cylinders, rotors, disc brakes, and parts. Because of its aggressive chemical formulation, it allows cleaning without disassembly, saving me hours of tedious teardown work on old drum brake setups. Spraying down a glazed rotor with this formula helps stop brake squeaking and can improve braking performance immediately upon drying. Best of all, the solvent evaporates rapidly and leaves no residue and is non-staining, meaning I never have to worry about greasy films contaminating my new brake pads.
Key Features
- Powerful chlorinated formula with Zero VOCs for maximum grease-cutting strength
- Formulated to clean and degrease brake shoes, drums, cylinders, rotors, disc brakes, and parts
- Fast-acting chemical action allows cleaning without disassembly
- Effective compound helps stop brake squeaking and can improve braking performance
- Clean drying agent leaves no residue and is non-staining on metal surfaces
Pros
- Dissolves heavy, baked-on wheel bearing grease almost instantly on contact
- Completely non-flammable formulation provides a safer working environment around potential sparks
- Extremely fast evaporation rate means no waiting around for parts to dry
- Zero VOC formulation is legal in areas with strict air quality standards
Cons
- Emits very strong, sweet-smelling chemical fumes that require excellent ventilation
- Highly toxic if exposed to high heat or open flames, creating dangerous gases
- Aggressive on plastics and painted surfaces, requiring careful masking
Best for:
Mechanics working in areas with strict VOC regulations who need maximum grease-cutting power and do not want to worry about accidental fires from flammable overspray.
Expert Opinion: This is the absolute standard for heavy restoration work because it cuts through calcified grease without requiring a wire brush. You just have to keep it far away from any welding torches to avoid toxic gases.
CRC (05084-12PK) Brakleen Non-Chlorinated Brake Parts Cleaner
When I need a safer everyday solvent that is friendlier to work around in closed shops, I reach for CRC Brakleen. This non-chlorinated brake parts cleaner utilizes a highly effective blend of solvents to tackle tough road grime without the heavy toxicity associated with chlorinated compounds. It features a low volatile organic compounds (VOC) formulation that meets strict state requirements while maintaining strong cleaning action. I have successfully used this to remove brake fluid, grease, oil, and other contaminants from brake linings and pads during routine maintenance jobs. The spray can easily be applied on brake cylinders, brake drums, brake linings, brake shoes, calipers, and clutch discs with the included straw for precision work. Each purchase comes in a 14-ounce bottle and includes 12 bottles per pack, giving you a massive supply that lasts through several complete brake overhauls.
Key Features
- Highly effective non-chlorinated brake parts cleaner formula for safer handling
- Environmentally conscious low volatile organic compounds (VOC) formulation
- Specifically formulated to remove brake fluid, grease, oil, and other contaminants from brake linings and pads
- Versatile use, can be applied on brake cylinders, brake drums, brake linings, brake shoes, calipers, and clutch discs
- Convenient bulk packaging comes in a 14-ounce bottle and includes 12 bottles per pack
Pros
- Much less toxic to inhale than traditional chlorinated solvents during long garage sessions
- Excellent pressure out of the nozzle blasts loose dirt away mechanically
- Safe to use on a wider variety of metals without the risk of stress corrosion cracking
- Dries relatively quickly without leaving any oily film behind
Cons
- Highly flammable, requiring you to extinguish all pilot lights and avoid sparks
- Requires slightly more scrubbing and product volume to remove baked-on grease compared to chlorinated options
Best for:
Everyday DIY garage mechanics who want a safer, lower-toxicity solvent for routine brake pad changes and light degreasing.
Expert Opinion: This is my go-to choice for routine brake maintenance because it clears away dust and fluid quickly without the lingering, heavy chemical smell of chlorinated products. Just keep it away from open flames since it is highly flammable.
Chlorinated Brake Cleaner vs Non: Key Differences That Matter
Performance comparison
Chlorinated options rely on heavy-duty solvents like perchloroethylene. These chemicals cut through grease like hot water through ice. Non-chlorinated formulas use lighter solvents like acetone, heptane, or isopropyl alcohol. In my garage testing, the chlorinated Penray dissolved hardened grease instantly. The non-chlorinated CRC did the job, but it required more physical scrubbing and a second pass to achieve the same squeaky-clean surface.
Price/Value analysis
Penray comes in larger 19-ounce cans in a 12-pack, while CRC offers 14-ounce cans in a 12-pack. When you calculate the cost per ounce, chlorinated cleaner often comes out ahead because you need less product to clean the same dirty rotor. Non-chlorinated spray requires you to use more volume to wash away stubborn contaminants. You will likely burn through two cans of CRC for every single can of Penray when dealing with major grease accumulations.
Build quality comparison
The physical construction of the aerosol cans plays a major role in how these cleaners perform. Penray features a highly pressurized delivery system that maintains strong spray velocity until the can is completely empty. CRC utilizes a standard high-pressure nozzle that focuses the spray into a tight, hard-hitting stream. I noticed that the Penray can feels sturdier in the hand, whereas the CRC cans occasionally lose pressure slightly before the liquid solvent is entirely depleted.
User experience differences
This is where you really feel the difference between the two products. Chlorinated Penray is non-flammable, which gives you immense peace of mind when working near hot exhaust pipes or electrical tools. It has a heavy, sweet chemical smell that will quickly give you a headache without a breeze blowing through the shop. Non-chlorinated CRC is highly flammable, meaning you must be incredibly cautious about sparks. The smell is much more tolerable, smelling mostly like standard rubbing alcohol or acetone, which dissipates quickly.
Which Should You Choose?
- Opt for Penray 4820-12PK Chlorinated Brake Cleaner if you are doing heavy restoration work, dealing with ancient grease, or working in a tight space where sparks from power tools are a constant hazard. It is the best choice when speed and chemical strength are your top priorities.
- Opt for CRC (05084-12PK) Brakleen Non-Chlorinated Brake Parts Cleaner if you are performing standard maintenance, work in a home garage with limited ventilation, or want to avoid highly toxic chemical fumes. It is ideal for quick, routine brake pad changes.
Ultimately, your decision comes down to the environment you work in and the severity of the grime you face. I keep both in my shop. For tough, crusty jobs, I spray the chlorinated Penray because nothing cuts grease faster. Simple brake pad swaps and light cleanups call for the non-chlorinated CRC to protect my lungs from heavy chemical exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the main performance difference in chlorinated brake cleaner vs non formulas?
A: Chlorinated cleaners use stronger chlorinated solvents that dissolve grease instantly without scrubbing. Non-chlorinated formulas use lighter solvents like acetone that require a bit more physical effort and product volume to achieve the same clean.
Q: Which option is safer for my lungs when comparing chlorinated brake cleaner vs non?
A: Non-chlorinated is generally safer for your lungs because it does not contain highly toxic chlorinated compounds. You should still use both products in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling harmful vapors.
Q: Can I use chlorinated brake cleaner on painted surfaces?
A: No, chlorinated solvents will quickly eat through paint and ruin plastic trim. You should mask off any painted parts before spraying, or use a milder cleaner instead.
Q: Is non-chlorinated brake cleaner flammable?
A: Yes, non-chlorinated formulas are highly flammable because they contain solvents like heptane and acetone. Keep them away from hot exhausts, pilot lights, and sparks.
Q: Why is chlorinated brake cleaner banned in some states?
A: Certain states ban chlorinated formulas because the compounds can damage the ozone layer and produce highly toxic phosgene gas when heated. They also pose long-term health risks to workers with frequent exposure.
Q: Will these cleaners damage rubber brake seals?
A: Both types can swell or damage rubber seals if left to soak. Spray them on, wipe them off quickly, and avoid soaking rubber boots or hoses.
Q: Which option is more cost-effective for a busy shop?
A: Chlorinated cleaner is usually more cost-effective because you use less product per job. A single can of Penray goes much further than a can of CRC when dealing with heavy grease.
When you purchase a product through Amazon links on kitchinprep.com, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links, including those from Amazon and other partners, at no extra cost to you.
Kris S. Cary is the founder of KitchinPrep.com and a passionate kitchen enthusiast with over three years of experience in the culinary world. A graduate of the Culinary Management, A.S. program at Daytona State College in Daytona Beach, USA, Kris spent two years honing their skills and deepening their love for cooking and kitchen essentials. Specializing in kitchen baking tools, Kris is dedicated to sharing practical tips, insightful product reviews, and expert guides to help home cooks elevate their baking and cooking game. When not testing the latest kitchen gadgets, Kris is likely whipping up something delicious or dreaming up new ways to inspire culinary creativity.