The invention concerns a method for producing removable surface protection by the application of a curable, liquid coating composition (liquid film), in which the surface is treated using water, or an aqueous solution of surface-active agents, and the coating composition is subsequently applied. Preferably, the surface is the topcoat of a motor vehicle. The invention further relates to the use of water or aqueous solutions of surface-active agents in such a method. Finally, the invention also relates to a removable surface protection coating of this nature. According to the invention, the flow of the coating composition into a uniform film is improved.