If you own a car and live in the vicinity of Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang, or even Bukit Timah, take a close look at your paintjob to see if stubborn red specks have appeared.

It's not the job of some careless painter or a new neighbourhood vandal, but residue from a smoke test performed for the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) Black Knights aerobatics team.

While trying to create a more visually striking coloured smoke to be used at next year's Singapore Air Show, strong south-easterly winds carried smoke from the test site at Tengah Air Base to places as far away as Dunearn Road in Bukit Timah.

The red dye was released on Nov 23 at around 2pm, when the engine of an F-16C on the ground was left running for about 20 minutes.

Trials for use of the red dye have since been suspended.

Mindef's director of public affairs, Colonel Darius Lim, revealed that Mindef's hotline has received 27 calls since the incident.

Now, car owners affected by the red dye may receive help from professional car polishers who will be tasked with removing the stains and buffing the cars.

But before you think about splashing some water colour on your car to get a free 'wash and shine', Mindef personnel need to meet car owners to make an assessment before arranging to get the stains removed.

To get help with removing the stains, call Mindef's 24-hour toll-free line at 1800 7608844 during office hours.

AsiaOne conducted a check with the busy hotline, where we learned that that car polish or even general stain removers have worked on the red stains.

Mr Jason Sia, 29, said the stains remained even after he had hand-washed his red-speckled Honda Civic twice.

When told about Mindef's helpline for car owners, Mr Sia said: 'It's better than nothing.'

For the complete report, read today's edition of The Straits Times.