[ARSCLIST] De-static question

[Peter Hirsch <punto@xxxxxxxx>]

Other than online advertisements for Zerostat, I am having trouble 
finding information on the techniques for and necessity of removing 
static charge from records. Lamentably, my background as collector, 
cataloger, librarian and archivist does not include much in the way of 
technical study of such issues. Lately, I have been going through a 
particularly  troublesome batch of secondhand vinyl. After carefully 
washing discs with a mid-level Nitty-Gritty machine, they look pretty 
pristine, but generally produce tons of crackle and swish when played. 
I'm not talking about the metronome click of a scratch, but a kind of 
variable sonic cloud. To my ears, it is the equivalent of what one hears 
while combing one's hair (at least what I remember from back when I had 
hair) with a plastic comb in mid-winter.

I'm sure I could be doing a somewhat better cleaning job, but I am 
wondering if I might get more bang for my buck with a static discharging 
device of some sort. I'd also be interested in knowing if the beneficial 
effect is greater if you de-static before or after cleaning. Any 
suggestions that for diagnosis and remedy would be welcome whatever they 
involve, even if they are not cleaning or static charge related.

I'm sure this is all Basic 101 audio and I should be ashamed of myself 
for not just going out and empirically solving this question by plunking 
down my $75 for a Zerostat, but isn't plundering other's knowledge and 
experiences what listservs are for?

Thanks in advance for any input,

Peter Hirsch