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Removing static from records

weegee

weegee

Active Member
After cleaning records I get lots of static. I've been using the Robert Crumb method of washing records with clean water on a damp cotton rag and drying with soft rag. Although Crumb uses lots of soap on his records as well as water. (as shown in a vintage video of him.)

Once cleaned I touch the edge of the record to the refrigerator handle a few times until it stops sparking. Seemed to help greatly reducing dust magnet syndrome.

The anti anti-static brush does very little as far as I can tell to remove static. (other than finish dusting after the static is removed.) The brush must be designed to not add more static. I test removing more static when flipping the record and brushing, but have not found any buildup from playing and brushing once static is previously discharged.

You got any static removing tricks? Lets hear them.

R.Crumb by Sebastien Gokalp.jpg

Photo: Sebastien Gokalp​
 
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Tricks I've tried during cold/dry winter months:

1) Microfiber made mildly damp, run over the surface of the record prior to play.
2) Anti-static drier sheets kept under the platter mat.
3) Many different mat materials.
4) Generic CF dust brushes and the Hunt double CF/velvet brush.
5) Many more I cannot remember.

In years gone by, I was a hobbyist who would have to deal with platter mats aggressively sticking to records when I tried to remove them. I have peeled cork mats from records while they crackled stuck hard. Some materials proved better than others, but in general record play i the winter months could be a PITA with static, but here's the thing. I've found that some record players, and most definitely some mat materials, perform better or worse regarding static build up on records. This last several months I've put into my main and office systems a Thorens TD-160 and a TD-145. Now that cold/dry has arrived I have MUCH less static build up during play than I've had with other machines. I have no idea why but it is unmistakable.

I also bought and have put to use an old/vintage Discwasher, used with the minimal moisture application called for in the directions. It seems to help keep records clean and static free as they play.
 
weegee said:
Once cleaned I touch the edge of the record to the refrigerator handle a few times until it stops sparking.
Click to expand...
I don't get that kinda of sparking when I discharge a large filter capacitor. It's not the record building static - it's you. Your home is too dry. It happens this time of year and gets worst as water vapour clears out of the air when it freezes. A humidifier may help - or place a large pot of boiling water on the stove or fireplace near by.
 
DavidTT said:
Tricks I've tried during cold/dry winter months:

1) Microfiber made mildly damp, run over the surface of the record prior to play.
2) Anti-static drier sheets kept under the platter mat.
3) Many different mat materials.
4) Generic CF dust brushes and the Hunt double CF/velvet brush.
5) Many more I cannot remember.

In years gone by, I was a hobbyist who would have to deal with platter mats aggressively sticking to records when I tried to remove them. I have peeled cork mats from records while they crackled stuck hard. Some materials proved better than others, but in general record play i the winter months could be a PITA with static, but here's the thing. I've found that some record players, and most definitely some mat materials, perform better or worse regarding static build up on records. This last several months I've put into my main and office systems a Thorens TD-160 and a TD-145. Now that cold/dry has arrived I have MUCH less static build up during play than I've had with other machines. I have no idea why but it is unmistakable.

I also bought and have put to use an old/vintage Discwasher, used with the minimal moisture application called for in the directions. It seems to help keep records clean and static free as they play.
Click to expand...

Its weird, I have two Kenwood tables, while the KD-500 seems to be completely free of this problem the KD-770D has it in spades. Tried the dryer sheet under the platter mat thing, worthless in my opinion lol.

Haven't tried a different platter mat yet, will see down the road at some point if changing the mat helps.
 
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Grenadeslio said:
Its weird, I have two Kenwood tables, while the KD-500 seems to be completely free of this problem the KD-770D has it in spades. Tried the dryer sheet under the platter mat thing, worthless in my opinion lol.

Haven't tried a different platter mat yet, will see down the road at dome point if changing the mat helps.
Click to expand...

Isn't that strange that you get it from one and not the other?

Over the years static has been off and on for me. Right now i am in the basement and static hasn't been an issue. In the past I believe my ZeroStat definitely performed its intended function.
 
A humidifier is a great option for both the records with static issues and the comfort of the room. A Zerostat also does help.
 
I had one table that gave me 100 times more static problems than any other. And then it stopped, after a couple weeks. I think the reason was a new wax thrust plate pad wore through so that the platter was connected to ground again. I also quit using a carbon fiber brush, and went to an original, directional-fiber Discwasher brush, plus a spritz of this:
 
weegee said:
After cleaning records I get lots of static. I've been using the Robert Crumb method of washing records with clean water on a damp cotton rag and drying with soft rag.
Click to expand...
Rubbing on a record causes static, just like rubbing a balloon in your hair. I would not use a micro fiber rag to dry with as they are polyester, cotton would be better.
weegee said:
The anti anti-static brush does very little as far as I can tell to remove static
Click to expand...
Correct most are junk and do very little.

I ultrasonic clean my records, between this cleaning and the heating and cooling all static is gone. I also let them air dry as not to add friction and the end result of static.
 
Why can't you just ground the LP?

I have a particular nasty LP where you can see the dust shooting towards the LP when I get it out, especially on dry days. The carbon brush always leaves a neat white line of fluff which is difficult to dislodge.

The voltages on plastic can be quite high. We use high volatge anti static bars at work in the flexible packaging industry, grounding a 1.5 metre wide sheet of plastic running through multiple rollers is difficult to ground.. Might borrow the reader and see how high this problem LP is running.
 
tnsilver said:
I don't get that kinda of sparking when I discharge a large filter capacitor. It's not the record building static - it's you. Your home is too dry. It happens this time of year and gets worst as water vapour clears out of the air when it freezes. A humidifier may help - or place a large pot of boiling water on the stove or fireplace near by.
Click to expand...

Maybe. We got no humidifier and have dry heat forced air. Summer is humid. Maybe static will disappear.
 
Johnno_Oz said:
Why can't you just ground the LP?

I have a particular nasty LP where you can see the dust shooting towards the LP when I get it out, especially on dry days. The carbon brush always leaves a neat white line of fluff which is difficult to dislodge.

The voltages on plastic can be quite high. We use high volatge anti static bars at work in the flexible packaging industry, grounding a 1.5 metre wide sheet of plastic running through multiple rollers is difficult to ground.. Might borrow the reader and see how high this problem LP is running.
Click to expand...

I work the line of dust over to the edge after a few revolutions.
 
4-2-7 said:
Rubbing on a record causes static, just like rubbing a balloon in your hair. I would not use a micro fiber rag to dry with as they are polyester, cotton would be better.

Correct most are junk and do very little.

I ultrasonic clean my records, between this cleaning and the heating and cooling all static is gone. I also let them air dry as not to add friction and the end result of static.
Click to expand...

Wow, didn't know they had ultrasonic cleaners for records. I've only seen the mini ones for jewelry.
 
When I lived in Florida, I gave up and switched to a felt mat. It’s not as bad in New York, but it’s even better now that I have a record vacuum cleaner.
 
You know what? A used dryer sheet under your mat works wonders. I was having to ground out to a lamp just to get some lp’s off the table. Not anymore.
 
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