Abstract: A substance and a method for creating a sheath-like protective coating (22). The substance is brought from a solid state into a liquid state, in which it can be sprayed on a surface (20), and after spraying it again returns into the solid state, wherein it forms a coherent body, free of perforations, of a high degree of toughness, whose cohesion is greater than its adhesion to the surface. The sheath-like protective coating (22) can be pulled off the surface (20) as a whole or at least in large sections. The substance is of such a nature that it can be repeatedly liquefied by the application of heat and solidified by the removal of heat. The sheath-like protective coating (22) can be used for the protection of an exterior surface, in particular a pipeline connection (11) at an oil drilling platform. In such a case, it forms a cocoon which encloses the pipeline connection.