Acid cleaners are classified by their pH level ranging from 1.0 to 5.5 with the lower number meaning a stronger acid or higher concentration. Crest acid cleaners and degreasers are often made from chemical compounds based in phosphoric acid, oxalic acid, acetic acid, or hydrofluoric acid and are typically formulated as aqueous solutions. These solutions utilize specific wetting agents that enhance the cleaning of the metal and the rinsing away of particulates, while the acid goes to work removing rust, oxidation, scale, and other difficult to remove contaminants.

The level of cleaning and contaminant removal by an acid cleaner or degreaser will weigh heavily on the type of acid, pH level, level of concentration, and wetting agents involved. Crest produces many different acidic cleaners and degreasers to assist in the varied chemical cleaning operations of most major industries. When choosing the correct Crest product for cleaning and degreasing it is important to determine the substrate material, existing finish coatings that may be present, the amount and type of contaminants, the level of cleanliness desired, and the finish to be applied after cleaning.

The materials used in all Crest acid cleaner products are high quality and some are independently tested to ensure the overall quality of our products. Many of the Crest industrial cleaners can be used at full strength as a high acid cleaner concentrate, or diluted with water to produce a milder cleaning agent as the need requires.