Haha, thanks, old owners had left a tin of bitumen and they weren't fussy about what they used so I thought they might have used that! Yeah it's a panel, all inside doors also had them which I've taken off. The doors a bit knackered to be honest but I wanted to tidy it up until we can afford a new one, I'll give it a measure first and price some up. Cheers

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Agree that bottom panel almost definitely covers a glazed panel. Door looks like it's from the 50 or 60s, with that glass and probably not very secure.

I think the lower panel may be a square of ply or other material that has been fixed on to strengthen the door. If ply, it is liable to delaminate starting at the edges if damp gets at it.

We have an old wooden front door which has been painted in bitamen tar paint (I'm guessing as a time in the shed left from previous family), want to repaint the door...what's the beat way to do this?

If replacing isn't an option, you can either (cautiously) use a heat gun - there's a risk that the wood could ignite or the glass crack, though, or give it a bloody good rub down (wear mask and goggles), prime it and add your own contribution to the 14 layers of paint likely to already be on it.