: . . .What
: would be the effect of unfolding the glass cloth out on the warm driveway,
: in the sun to try to smooth it out?

You would undoubtedly get dirt, pebbles or other debris in it. The warmth of the Sun is not going to reduce any wrinkles in fiberglass cloth.

: You certainly couldn't use an iron,
: or, if so, on a low setting, it would be more trouble than it's worth.

This is GLASS cloth. It is not a plant or animal fiber. It is not easily combustible. It is mineral based. It is not going to melt on low heat, or even on high heat from your iron. If you heated it with a blowtorch you could certainly melt a hole in it, but I wouldn't recommend that.

: But, if the sun will not have any adverse affects on the cloth, then would
: it loosen it up and aid in flattening it out? The cloth for the
: "8"Ball was in about a 5" square bundle, stuffed into a
: baggie and is going to be a real pain if used that way. Any thoughts on
: leaving the cloth in the sun for a short period of time to warm the
: wrinkles out of it??

Don't waste your time on that. Working with the cloth tends to stretch it, and you can't unstretch it, so handle it as little as possible.

Fitting a flat sheet of fabric over the curves of the hull forces the fabric to distort a bit. In so doing it tightens up any loose puckers, and stretches a bit in some spots. Just lay it out on the hull and let it settle a bit. AS you put on the resin you will be working it just the right amount to get it to fit. When that happens in one area, you are done -- go on to the adjacent area.

You will want to avoid smoothing it with your bare hands. The oils in your hands are certainly not going to help the fabric, and there is a chance of picking up some microscopic slivers of glass. They won't draw blood, but they feel funny. Wear your plastic gloves.

As you put on the resin work from the center (keel line) to the outside (gunwales) with your squeegee and as you do so the material will gently stretch over the smooth curve of the hull and excess wrinkles will accumulate by the gunwales, where they can be dealt with later.

Hope this helps.

PGJ