> however, they don't seem to be willing to deal with a job like this

that's unbelievable... it should be a 5-10 minute job for a bike shop with all the tools at their disposal.

hmmm you could angle grind some lines in to the concrete to create a key for a render to go on top. i think that would be 900 times easier than grinding it flat.

i think the tape is for protecting against an accidental brush stroke, not for creating a full liquid tight seal. if you drown it in paint it will fail. so just use the tape as "training wheels" for cutting in neatly in the first instance :)

i think you'll be safe regarding burning down regardless.... as long as you haven't imported any sketchy electronics from china lol :D

worst case scenario for good quality electronics is they shut down for a while.

electronics don't mind the cold. they don't love heat but they have over-temp protection for the heat. what they really don't like is wet and damp so that would be my number one concern.

free standing AC is a bit of a debatable issue... a 2-duct system that both draws air in from and exhausts air out to the outside is alright

1 duct for exhaust only will cause a negative pressure in the room drawing air in from outside which is... not efficient.. but technically it'll cool the room.

0 ducts is just nonsense imo because the thing has a hot side and a cold side and the hot side beats the cold side :D

well i'm out of ideas. i would imagine it's just a big resistive heating element inside which is about as basic as it gets. altho now i say that, i don't understand how your 240 volt system works with no neutral line. (oh i think i get it, the 2 live wires are out of phase creating a bigger potential... nice!)

hmm that same manual says

supply side black -> envi black

supply side red or 2nd black -> envi white

supply side green/copper -> envi green

supply side white -> not used, cap off this wire.

which sounds different to how you have done it.

well i googled it and the first thing the manual says in big red letters is "this thing won't work unless it is mounted to a wall"

https://www.eheat.com/content/Envi-Owners-Manual.pdf

so that's my guess with no futher information.

outdoor curtains? wild!

what shape are you after? any old drinks container could make a nice form. if you need a flat bottom you can turn it upside down while it sets.

also you could drive a steak in to the ground like a beefy oversize tent peg

well i think the only "propper" way to do it is rip it out and start again... fun :)

i made the mistake of not using a quality silicone when i did it so i have to do it again soon too. heh. things get easier the second and third time round so i guess that's a small silver lining

if it's still wet i'd just use masking tape to define the edges you want and then add more 1 "finger full" at a time. smoosh it in real good. then peel off the tape.

there will be a teeeny tiny ridge equal to the thickness of the tape which some people might find objectionable, but i find the very clean lines provided by the tape more than counteract that.

people who are really really skilled can get perfect lines freehand. not me.

but real fireplaces are so nice! there is nothing comparable to a real fire.