To provide a surface protective material for protecting a car, a semiconductor substrate, etc., during storage or transportation, or the surface of, e.g. kitchen utensils such as a ventilating fan from external contamination and shock.

The surface protective material is obtained by using an N- vinylacetamide (co)polymer containing at least 50 mass% repeating units derived from N-vinylacetamide, as a resin for forming a hydrophilic protective film. The material is used for protecting the surfaces of vehicle structures, kitchen utensils, building materials, the skin, and mechanical parts.