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Message # 3850.2.2

Subject: Re: Answer for this group

Date: Wed 28/05/03 16:12:30 GMT

Name: AnthonyX

Email: anthonyx@jowc.net

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If you want to get REALLY technical, the shine comes from a smooth surface (the water), as Frankie said, but part of the reason the water is there and is able to form a smooth surface is surface tension. Water likes to minimize its surface area, so it tends to want to fill in gaps, like between the threads of fabric. It isn't a very strong force, so it can be overcome by gravity. You may notice that finer woven fabrics stay shinier for longer... that's because it's harder for other forces to overcome the surface tension when dimensions are smaller.

In reply to Message (3850.2)

Answer for this group

By Frankie - Tue 27/05/03 13:10:35 GMT

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Actually its the water that makes it shine, but only under one condition. Denim can only absorb so much water. If there is more water that what the material can abort, the absorbancy equalizes by allowing the excess water to run off the material. Light reflexes off of the extra water thus giving it it's "shiny" look. This can only happen during or immediately after the material is subjected to an over-abundancy of water. For example: in the shower or immediately walking out of a pool. Once the absorbancy is equal or is able to hold more water (now in the process of drying), the shiny effect is minimized. However you can still create shininess by causing the water in the material to "squeeze" up to the surface - sort of like squeezing a sponge. Areas that cause maximum squeezing like the kneecap or the butt area will shine when bending down. I'm no scientist, but I am kinda wet behind the ears! So I hope this helps!

In reply to Message (3850)

Question for this group

By Chris - Tue 27/05/03 00:34:28 GMT

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I would like to know (I know this is a stupid question), what makes tight jeans shiny when wet?

Chris

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