VPI TNT static problem, Why?

My new reference deck is a older TNT3 that I have had VPI upgrade the tone arm wiring and rebuild the motor. This deck was an upgrade from a Michell Gyro deck that I had for 4 yrs. I have serious static problems with this plater which I have never had with the Michell. I clean a record with the VPI HW 16.5, then go to place the record on the platter - each time I get a static shock from the metal section of the platter, which has caused me to drop several LP's - major no no. Even when I pull off the LP - you can hear the static attraction to the acrylic platter. Now the Michell platter was acrylic( or so I thought) and this never happened. Is this something I have to live with or have others had this problem and solved it. I really like this deck as to the depth and detail, but this static stuff is driving me crazy.