In this study, water-based polymer coating materials used for the surface coating of substrates with lower surface energies were prepared by the complexation of two-component polymer latices containing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and having chemically complementary structures. The film-forming performance of the polymer latices and the surface structures and properties of the coatings formed by the polymer latices were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy and by the measurement of mechanical strength, thermal performance, water absorbability, and contact angle. When the two-component polymer latices [the poly(methyl methacrylate-co-butyl acrylate-co-methyl acrylic acid)/polydimethylsiloxane system (PA latex) and the poly(methyl methacrylate-co-butyl acrylate-co-pyrrolidone)/polydimethylsiloxane system (PB latex)] were compared, the complex polymer latex formed by the complexation of the PA latex with the PB latex had the best film-forming performance, with formed coatings that were more smooth and had fewer less cracks. Also, compared to the two coatings formed by the two-component polymer latices, the coatings formed by the complex polymer latex had a unique structure, a higher mechanical strength and elongation, a higher decomposing temperature, and better water resistance. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1748-1754, 2003.