I had the same problem with my VPI. I'd take the record off, and then snap, crackle pop and all sorts of dust would get re-attracted to the record. I was able to solve the problem by using a Milty Zerostat on the record cleaner. Using the Milty Zerostat is now a normal part of my record cleaning process. I zap each side on the machine after I clean them. Never a static problem since I started doing this.