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the wall was painted, they used chemical paintstripper on most of it but it didn't budge on the reveals so they ground it back. originally I said I didn't want that so they did a small sample to show me - which looked ok - they then did two door reveals and the second one they've also taken too much off the bricks on the reveals. anyway, I'm pretty sure I didn't give them permission to grind the face of any bricks - they took it upon themselves to make it look 'better'. I'm not really used to this tradesperson lark and feel like a fucking fool for not making it really absolutely clear that not damaging the bricks is kind of a big deal for me. I also had stuff to do and go to work and that, so couldn't 'supervise'. the company name contains the word 'restoration' so I was hoping for better care. I didn't DIY because I didn't want to fuck it up :/
(also because it would've taken months/years etc)
hoefla-
They look like they're fucking hopeless, sorry.
You can rescue the face of the bricks by rubbing them smooth with another brick of the same type. The joints are buggered and there isn't much you can do but fill them with mortar.
Are they repointing with lime or cement?
As for the heat gun next to the glass, you can hold a piece of thick cardboard against the glass, but don't point the gun towards the glass or you'll crack it. Try and sand the very last bit next to the glass, but try to keep the moulding sharp. It'll look crisp if the edges of the moulding aren't damaged by sanding.
Don't blame yourself, you're paying them good money and they should know what they are doing. Proper conservation grade builders, with the appropriate qualifications are hard to find. Anybody can set up a building company with the words "Conservation or Restoration" in its name and it's a licence to print money if you work with lime.
Aunt_Maud
It looks like a lazy shortcut, which they're doing badly. Why they're sanding the faces tho...