Do you stop the turntable or let it spin while you run e record brush

Dump the brush.

I heard from a dealer who said that Fremer recommends brushing only while the record is spinning otherwise, it could scratch the record.  I let the platter come up to speed and use the  Anti-Static Record Brush · AudioQuest.  It's somewhat lighter than other brushes - and I gently run over the record and sweep.

On my Technics SL1200G, being direct drive I have no such problems.  You can bear down hard on the brush while TT is spinning and the speed never slows down. 

Are you kidding ? You can’t damage the motor using a brush! Even if you put heavyweight disc stabilizer and mat on top you can’t damage DD motor. Your brush in NOTHING for this direct drive motor. Low torque or high torque - you can’t stop the motor with brush if you know how to use it right.

I have two LUX PD-444, this is the brush I use for ages and I never stop the platter when I use the brush. If you don’t have this brush - buy it (the label can be different). It will cost you $6-15. The best brush ever made!

You don’t need a felt brush that looks like a brick with flat edges (I’ve seen some), those are for sleaning records when they are not on a turntable.

Soft carbon-fiber brush is what you need.

Just got back to listing music on vinyl from being strored away for over 2 decades and at least 1/2 of my records are from dj’ing environment (very dirty) and a lot of them requires washing or at least heavy brushing and the plater fights the bras hung a lot.
No such issues with belt drive (belt slippage) or high torque DD tables (ala sl1200, sp10,etc)
That’s the reason for this question.
I guess I should wash most of my records.

sukeun