Automotive · Head-to-head

CRC Industries BRAKLEEN Non-Chlorinated Brake Parts Cleaner, 50 State Formula (05050) vs Berryman Products Non-Chlorinated Brake Parts Cleaner, VOC Compliant (2420C)

Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Brake Cleaners: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.

CRC's 50 State can is the one to reach for by default: it is legal everywhere, evaporates fast, and carries no chlorinated chemistry to worry about near a torch. Berryman's VOC-compliant can does nearly the same job with a simpler formula and comes in gallon and five gallon sizes if you go through it quickly.

CRC Industries BRAKLEEN Non-Chlorinated Brake Parts Cleaner, 50 State Formula (05050)

CRC Industries BRAKLEEN Non-Chlorinated Brake Parts Cleaner, 50 State Formula (05050)

Buy it

An acetone-based can that CRC states is compliant for use in all 50 states, with no chlorinated residue to worry about.

  • CRC's safety data sheet puts VOC content at 9.2 percent and states the product is compliant for use in all 50 states.
  • Acetone at 80 to 100 percent on CRC's safety data sheet flashes off quickly.
  • No perchloroethylene, so there is no chlorinated residue left on parts to decompose near heat.
  • Sold in gallon, five gallon and drum sizes as well as the 14 ounce aerosol.
  • Flash point below 0 F and a GHS Flammable Aerosol Category 1 rating, so it is a genuine fire hazard.
  • CRC lists Plastic Safe: No for this product, so keep it off plastic and rubber components.
  • Classified Aspiration Hazard Category 1, and the can carries a Proposition 65 cancer and reproductive harm warning.
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Berryman Products Non-Chlorinated Brake Parts Cleaner, VOC Compliant (2420C)

Berryman Products Non-Chlorinated Brake Parts Cleaner, VOC Compliant (2420C)

Buy it

The simplest formula in the group: acetone, isohexane and carbon dioxide, with a published 10 percent VOC figure and no state restrictions on the label.

  • Berryman's safety data sheet lists only three components: acetone at 80 to 90 percent, isohexane under 10 percent and carbon dioxide under 10 percent.
  • VOC content is stated as 10 percent by weight, and Berryman sells it as compliant in all 50 states.
  • Section 10 of the sheet lists no known hazardous decomposition products.
  • Available in 14 ounce and 19 ounce aerosols plus gallon and five gallon containers under matching part numbers.
  • Closed-cup flash point below 20 F and a Flammable Aerosol Category 1 classification with the Danger signal word.
  • Berryman still directs South Coast air district users to a different part number, 2414SC, so it is not literally unrestricted everywhere.
  • No plastics or rubber guidance is published for this SKU.
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Side by side

The 8 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.

CRC Industries BRAKLEEN Non-Chlorinated Brake Parts Cleaner, 50 State Formula (05050) Our pickBerryman Products Non-Chlorinated Brake Parts Cleaner, VOC Compliant (2420C)
Our verdictBuyBuy
Best forAnyone who wants one can that is legal in every state and leaves nothing chlorinated behind.Someone who buys brake cleaner by the case and wants a short, legible ingredient list.
Price tier$$ · mid-range$ · budget
ChlorinatedNoNo
Main solvent on the SDSAcetone 80 to 100 percentAcetone 80 to 90 percent
Flash pointBelow 0 FBelow 20 F, closed cup
VOC content9.2 percent10 percent by weight
Where the maker says it can be soldAll 50 statesAll 50 states, SCAQMD users sent to 2414SC
Maker's plastic and rubber guidancePlastic Safe: NoNone published
Dielectric strength6,300 VNot published
Can size14 wt oz14 oz

Which one is right for you?

Pick the CRC Industries BRAKLEEN Non-Chlorinated Brake Parts Cleaner, 50 State Formula (05050) if

anyone who wants one can that is legal in every state and leaves nothing chlorinated behind.

Know before buying: flash point below 0 F and a GHS Flammable Aerosol Category 1 rating, so it is a genuine fire hazard.

Pick the Berryman Products Non-Chlorinated Brake Parts Cleaner, VOC Compliant (2420C) if

someone who buys brake cleaner by the case and wants a short, legible ingredient list.

Know before buying: closed-cup flash point below 20 F and a Flammable Aerosol Category 1 classification with the Danger signal word.

The bottom line

Our overall pick is the CRC Industries BRAKLEEN Non-Chlorinated Brake Parts Cleaner, 50 State Formula (05050) - An acetone-based can that CRC states is compliant for use in all 50 states, with no chlorinated residue to worry about. Choose the Berryman Products Non-Chlorinated Brake Parts Cleaner, VOC Compliant (2420C) instead if someone who buys brake cleaner by the case and wants a short, legible ingredient list.

Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Brake Cleaners: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).