Surface protection starts dropping off in later years... (5)
I believe the answer is:
doily
'surface protection' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'starts dropping off in later years' is the wordplay.
'starts' says to take the initial letters.
The first letters of 'dropping off in later years' is 'DOILY'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for doily that I've seen before include "Lace mat" , "Ornamental mat for plate" , "Paper mat" , "Decorative mat" .)