Our Brands
CRC Industries.
An American specialty chemical manufacturer founded in 1958 and one of the largest producers of maintenance, repair and operations chemicals in the world. It is best known in the UK for CRC 5-56, its multi-purpose penetrating oil and lubricant, and a wide range of industrial aerosol maintenance products.
About CRC Industries
CRC Industries was founded in 1958 in the United States and has grown into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of specialty chemical products for maintenance, repair and operations applications. The company operates globally across automotive, marine, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and industrial maintenance markets, producing aerosol and bulk chemical products for everything from rust penetration and electrical contact cleaning to brake servicing and industrial degreasing.
In the UK market, CRC is probably best known for CRC 5-56, a multi-purpose maintenance spray positioned in the same category as WD-40 but formulated with a longer-lasting lubricating film and stronger penetrating performance. CRC 5-56 takes its name from its formulation: five ingredients, tested at 56 degrees Fahrenheit. The product has a substantial following in automotive, marine and industrial maintenance environments, where users have compared its residual lubrication and penetration against more heavily marketed alternatives and made a deliberate choice.
CRC Industries also owns the Action Can brand (see separate page), which is the UK market identity for several CRC products positioned for the British industrial and trades market. Together, the CRC and Action Can ranges cover the full spectrum of MRO chemical requirements for UK workshops and maintenance operations.
Products We Can Supply from CRC Industries
CRC 5-56 multi-purpose maintenance spray. The flagship product. It penetrates rust and corrosion, lubricates moving parts, displaces moisture from electrical components and leaves a corrosion-inhibiting film. It comes in standard aerosol, jumbo aerosol and bulk formats. The original formulation has been in production since the 1950s, and its enduring use in professional applications reflects real performance rather than brand inertia.
QD Electronic Cleaner. Fast-evaporating electronic contact cleaner for removing contamination from electrical contacts, connectors, circuit boards, switches and sensors without leaving a residue. It is safe on most plastics and suitable for use on sensitive electronic components where solvent-based cleaners would cause damage. It is used extensively in automotive electronics, industrial control panel maintenance and general electrical maintenance.
Brakleen brake cleaner and degreasers. Brakleen chlorinated and non-chlorinated brake cleaner for removing brake dust, grease and hydraulic fluid from brake components; industrial degreasers for heavy oil and grease removal from engine bays, machinery and workshop equipment; and CRC Lectra-Motive for heavier electrical system cleaning.
Zinc-It cold galvanising compound and corrosion protection. Cold galvanising spray for on-site protection of bare steel, cut edges and weld areas where hot-dip galvanising is not practical. Heavy-duty corrosion inhibitors for protecting machined components, fasteners and structural steel during storage and transit. These are used in fabrication, construction, oil and gas and structural engineering environments.
Industries
CRC Industries products are used in automotive and commercial vehicle maintenance, marine engineering, general industrial and manufacturing maintenance, electrical and electronic maintenance, HVAC and refrigeration, structural fabrication and steelwork, oil and gas, utilities, facilities management and MRO across virtually every industry with mechanical and electrical equipment requiring regular maintenance.
Product Categories
- CRC 5-56 multi-purpose spray
- QD Electronic Cleaner
- Brakleen & industrial degreasers
- Zinc-It & corrosion protection
Good to Know
CRC 5-56 and WD-40 sit in the same product category but are not identical. CRC 5-56 has a heavier lubricating film that lasts longer on metal surfaces. For applications where the penetrant is being used primarily as a lubricant rather than just a release agent, that distinction is worth making. Both are available from us if your team has a preference.
Buy CRC Industries from The Tool & Gauge Company (UK) Limited
The Tool & Gauge Company (UK) Limited supplies CRC 5-56 penetrating oil, lubricants and specialty maintenance aerosols to trade customers, contractors and businesses across the UK and internationally. We order directly from CRC Industries and their authorised distributors, and can source products across the full range to order. We deliver to any UK mainland address, with export to the Middle East, Africa, Asia and beyond.
To enquire about CRC Industries products, send us a part number, product name or description and we’ll come back with availability and a price the same working day. We supply CRC 5-56 multi-purpose lubricant, Brake Cleaner and specialist maintenance aerosols to UK engineering and industrial customers, so do ask for pricing on whatever you need. Trade accounts with 30-day credit terms are available for qualifying businesses.
Get in Touch
Send us your requirement and we’ll come back with a price. We aim to respond the same working day.