When tar or tree sap sticks to your car, it does more than make your car look dirty – it threatens your paint. At San Diego Select, we offer tar and sap removal that goes beyond surface cleaning. Using precision-safe solvents, expert technique and luxury-grade materials we remove these sticky substances without damaging your finish.
Whether your car is parked under eucalyptus trees in Encinitas or you picked up road tar on I-5, our mobile detailing team comes to you fully equipped to safely restore your vehicle’s shine. No guesswork, no harsh scrubbing, no drive-through damage. Just targeted care from San Diego’s trusted experts.
Sticky sap and stubborn tar can embed in your vehicle’s clear coat fast, especially in the Southern California sun. And if not handled properly they can etch your paint and cause long term damage.
At San Diego Select we specialize in high end car care that protects both your vehicle’s beauty and value. Our technicians are trained to assess the type of contaminant, identify your vehicle’s paint finish and use non-invasive products to safely remove buildup.
We come to you – home, office, garage or marina. With service across all Locations in San Diego County you’re never far from professional protection.
Tree sap contains acids and sugars that harden and bond to your paint. Road tar contains petroleum-based substances that bake onto surfaces. If removed improperly they can:
We’ve developed our own multi-step process using safe solvents, microfiber-safe techniques and post-cleaning paint protection to fully remove these contaminants without a trace.
Every car is different – and so is every tar or sap challenge. That’s why we customize our approach based on your car’s paint type, condition and exposure. Here’s how we do it:
Looking for long term protection after removal? Check out our full range of Services, including ceramic coating and paint correction.
Whether you drive a Tesla with soft paint or a vintage Porsche with single-stage lacquer, we match your vehicle’s needs to our methods. Our Brands experience includes everything from Honda to Ferrari—because contaminants don’t discriminate.
We work on:
If you park under trees, drive through construction zones or commute along coastal highways you’re a candidate. Common clients include:
Our Team has seen it all and we restore clarity without risk.
No need to visit a shop. San Diego Select is 100% mobile, we bring expert care to wherever your car is parked. Our tar and sap removal services are available across all Locations in San Diego County, including:
We service gated communities, office buildings and private garages—and work discreetly with minimal disruption to your day.
Tar and sap aren’t a one-time problem. Trees drip year-round and roadwork is constant. That’s why many clients protect their investment with our Wash Memberships.
These plans include regular foam washes, spot treatments and gentle cleanings to prevent buildup before it becomes an issue. It’s the easiest way to ensure year-round shine.
Every booking starts with a conversation—contact us to learn more about our process, pricing and add-ons. We’re San Diego’s go-to name in high-end mobile detailing.
Ready to get rid of the grime? Let San Diego Select do it for you- contact us today, we'll do the rest.
Remove stubborn odors and refresh your car's interior with San Diego Select's mobile ozone treatment—available throughout San Diego.
Remove scratches and swirls with expert paint correction from San Diego Select Detailing. Mobile service, showroom results.
Adriana Minicozzi
Audrey Hoel
Andrew Dyson
Micaela Mariner
Anna C
Nate S
Meghan Mazer
Justine Meadows
Charlie Redden
Perfection & Protection.
Frustrated with everything that the car wash leaves behind?
Does your paint not shine like it used to?
In love with your car and want to preserve your investment for the long term?
That is why we are here. Not only do we leave you with flawless results, but we make sure that your paint, leather, and other materials are protected for years to come. We will treat your car (and you) like one of our own.
The shampoo and hot water extraction is the best possible care for your FABRIC seats.
We will bathe your seats in thick foam shampoo, agitate it with a fabric brush attachment on a drill, and then extract all the grime, dirt, stains and contaminant from the seats with hot water at 210ºF. If your seats need a refresh, this is as good as it gets. Because the service takes 45 minutes on average, and only a small percent of vehicles need it we charge extra for it. Don't worry - its only $50 extra. Totally worth it.
Do you have any little scrapes and scratches that bother you?
We can handle it.. to an extent. We are polishing experts - so if the scratch isn't too deep, we can get it out. Ever heard of "The Fingernail Test", this is a great way to know if your scratches are fixable. If you feel the scratch will your fingernail and you can feel a groove in the paint, it it probably a little bit too deep ~in the sections where the groove is~
A clay bar is exactly what it sounds like, a little ball of malleable puddy.
This is used in the decontamination phase of the detail to prepare your paint for protection. Clay Bar Detailing is essential for preparing your vehicle's paint for protection by ensuring it is free of contaminants.
Every exterior detail has 3 phases: 1. Wash 2. Decontaminate 3. Protect. The decontamination stage is responsible for removing from the paint everything that doesn't come off from the wash.
Remember when you bought your car and the paint was smooth to the touch? That is the goal of this stage. Remove all the crusty junk that is stuck to you paint. This way, when we apply sealant (protection) to your paint it will adhere to the paint itself, rather than the junk sitting on the surface. This will give the sealant its longest possible useful life.
For the same reason that you get an oil change. Engines are expensive to replace (8-15K) so we take good care of them. So is your paint - the average paint job costing around $5,000. If you don't protect your paint with some type of ceramic, wax, or sealant, your paint WILL fail.
In San Diego, our biggest enemy is the sun, or the salt if you live near the beach. Next time you are in a big parking lot, look around at the hoods of the vehicles. You will notice around 1/6 vehicles have completely delaminated clear coat.
That means the paint looks like dead skin on the surface and you could peel it off with you fingers. Not pretty. There is a simple solution to ensure your vehicle never ends up like this. Exterior Detailing. Bonus points for a ceramic coating with is the best protection possible.
