Polyelectrolyte complexes

The present invention relates to aqueous compositions of associative polyelectrolyte complexes (PEC), which optionally contain surfactants, biocidal agents and / or oxidizers, which can provide surface protection to treated articles, which includes a lower tendency to dirt, a less cleaning effort and greater dirt repellency, as well as providing bacteriostatic properties to the treated surfaces with which they obtain water resistance, to environmental exposure and the attack of microbes. Treatment means and compositions are provided which employ complex associative polyelectrolytes formed by combining a first water-soluble cationic polyelectrolyte with a second water-soluble polyelectrolyte having charge groups opposite the first polyelectrolyte under suitable mixing conditions, where a polyelectrolyte present in molar excess is added in the form of a first aqueous solution during a mixing step to a second aqueous solution comprising the polyelectrolyte with opposite charge present in molar deficiency.