Weird Substance

[BobbyBobBob]

I was trying to make our small porch roof thing that protrudes over our front door look fresh so I decided to paint it. While I was sanding, I came across a weird tar like substance that was gooey and sticky. It had a distinct smell that gets up your nose but i can't describe what the smell was. It was only over a small section of the side of the roof but the part that had old paint over it seemed to be bubbling! (This is before I've painted it myself)

I managed to scrape it off in the end with a scraper and painted over it and more or less instantly it gave a cracked effect over the part that had this sticky substance.

Any idea what this could be?

Those front door porch roofs don't have asbestos in them do they?

[BRIGHT SPARK]

If the roof is felted then it may be tar....or if its wood you are painting it may be resin from a knot.If the latter ....clean off and paint some knotting over the area let it dry and repaint.

[Tuvok]

What colour was it - resin is usually amber coloured

[snags]

Alien life form... better get that tin foil hat on.

I'd go with tar.

[The Builder]

Actually, Snags isn't far off with the the tin foil ............. whether it's tar (small felt roof I guess) ... or aliens, it'll need blocking. Aluminium paint is good at blocking tar.
A couple of coats, then paint away.