Vinyl foibles

On WBF (Whats Best Forum) theres been lots of discussions regarding the use of static eliminators. There are 2 Japanese companies that produce them specifically for audio, DS Audio and CS Port. They are pricey but they do work. 

I've had a DeGritter for years that I use on my records - I just buy new ones and run them through there once - and I've noticed the same thing; they play perfect the first time, but not often, but sometimes subsequent plays will have a small tic or two, but I've not experienced what sound like scratches. 

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I do most of them but don't clean my HVAC filter as often as I might. As for my turntable platter, I cover it with a cork mat because it is a VPI made of metal. I like a little more softness. I have no idea how to clean the cork mat, though, and I sometimes think this might be the culprit. I cover it with the felt mat VPI provides when the turntable is not in use. I have a static gun that really doesn't do all that much good, I think. Certain records are so full of static they lift the cork mat off the turntable. As carefully as I can I use a fingernail to separate them. I always use MOFI-type inner sleeves. For some reason 180 and 200 gram records seem to pick up the most dirt. They also get real, unremovable ticks. A stereo store owner who was highly regarded in the analogue field told me that the 180 and 200 gram records are made of softer vinyl and wear more easily. 

I agree with billstevenson. Inner sleeves by Sleeve City are the best for keeping dust off your records. I used Mofi sleeves for years and I’ve recently come to the conclusion they are dust magnets. 
 

I also agree you should clean your records, even new ones, before you play them. Washing before playing will clean out any gunk in the grooves that will be driven into the grooves by playing. 
 

Ditto on cleaning BEFORE playing. Especially with brand new records.