correct zerostat technique

I agree with Dougdeacon. The instructions that came with the unit I had in the late '70s said exactly that. The idea is to charge the object when pulling the trigger and neutralize that charge with an equal amount of opposite polarity charge when releasing it. The click heard when pulling the trigger too fast is likely a rapid discharge of ions. This would create unequal amounts of charge that normally would occur, resulting in charging the record.

This is a manual, less sophisticated method than the ION Systems ceiling emitters I work with in a cleanroom. Their output alternates between positive and negative ions. The units can be adjusted for output level and frequency of the cycles. Our goal is to discharge a 1kV charged object within 10 seconds at the workbench level and within 30 seconds anywhere in the room. We verify this every 3 months.

I also agree with Sns and Xiekitchen that using a wet vacuum cleaning machine markedly reduces the amount of static build-up on LPs.

Relax, have a Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye and listen to some Dixie Dregs...

I was once told to hold the record in one hand, and the gun in the other while you are grounded with your feet on the floor (not carpet). Supposedly the static goes through your body to the ground. I never tried it as I am lazy and do it slowly as others mentioned.

Guiness, nice information! Thanks! I remember using the Zerostat when it first introduced and still use it. I still have the little "thingy" that sparkles when it is still working. I discharge on three points of the record and then once while the record is spinning. The wet method of cleaning helps, but I still have to use the Zerostat. Simply spinning the record creates static.

This may be a very obvious suggestion, but I've found that running a humidifier in the room helps reduce the static charge. I also use a VPI cleaning machine and a Zerostat, but those dry winter months really add to the static problem.

The most common static problem i have is when i remove the record from the platter to play the other side. There is so much static that i have to "pry it" off the platter and you can hear major static crackling and popping. I do the same as Dgad, hold the record in one hand and use the Zerostat SLOWLY squeezing & releasing the trigger to remove the static charge.

In my case, the problem maybe with a faulty ground between my TT and the Phono Preamp hence, creating this static charge when the record is removed.

However, there are other records that i play with no static at all whne i remove them from the platter.