How to Eliminate Static Charge from LP Records (7 Steps)
By Laurie Brock
Vinyl LP (long-playing) records were nudged out of the market during the 1980s with the rise in popularity of compact discs and, later on, electronic media. They are enjoying a resurgence today, however, due to their arguably superior quality of sound and the nostalgia triggered by album artwork and liner notes. Unfortunately, that quality can be compromised by the pop and crackle of dust accumulated from static-charge buildup. Proper care and handling techniques are the key to eliminating this problem and will ensure your that favorite oldies enjoy the long life they deserve.
Method One
Step 1
Place the record on the turntable.
Step 2
Touch your thumb and forefinger to the metal spindle in the center of the turntable, holding for several seconds, to discharge any static buildup into your body instead of the record.
Step 3
Clean the record with a commercially available or homemade record-cleaning solution with an antistatic brush or lint-free cloth (such as an eyeglass cleaning cloth) before and after playing.
Step 4
Replace the inner sleeves that came in the original album with antistatic record sleeves. These are commonly made of rice paper or materials that closely imitate rice paper, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and are available for purchase at record stores or online at a nominal cost.
Method Two
Step 1
Purchase an antistatic tool, commonly called a gun or pistol. These devices are widely available for purchase at electronics or audio stores and online, generally costing about $100 new, and have a long life.
Step 2
Point the antistatic gun at the record before and after playing it and squeeze the trigger, holding for several seconds. This will neutralize the existing static charge through an ionization process.
Step 3
Place the record in an antistatic inner sleeve before sliding it into the outer record cover, handling it at the edges only.
References
Writer Bio
Laurie Brock has worked as a freelance writer and consultant to nonprofits, utilities and marketing agencies since 1997. She spent 15 years in the energy industry where her research and communication skills were used in merger and acquisition activity. Brock holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from William Jewell College.