Restructuring (Restructuring And Impairment Charges By Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 27, 2012	Jan. 28, 2011
Liability Beginning Balance	$ 10,446	$ 5,955
Expense	5,097	1,396
Activity	(5,820)	(2,398)
Liability Ending Balance	9,723	4,953
Coatings [Member]
Liability Beginning Balance	6,686	3,173
Expense	389	996
Activity	(1,937)	(1,890)
Liability Ending Balance	5,138	2,279
Paints [Member]
Liability Beginning Balance	3,323	2,782
Expense	4,026	400
Activity	(3,552)	(508)
Liability Ending Balance	3,797	2,674
All Other [Member]
Liability Beginning Balance	437
Expense	682
Activity	(331)
Liability Ending Balance	788
Severance And Employee Benefits [Member] | Coatings [Member]
Liability Beginning Balance	3,884	1,139
Expense	136	2
Activity	(1,455)	(502)
Liability Ending Balance	2,565	639
Severance And Employee Benefits [Member] | Paints [Member]
Liability Beginning Balance	2,915	19
Expense	2,082
Activity	(1,478)
Liability Ending Balance	3,519	19
Severance And Employee Benefits [Member] | All Other [Member]
Liability Beginning Balance	437
Expense	682
Activity	(331)
Liability Ending Balance	788
Asset Impairments [Member] | Coatings [Member]
Expense	89
Activity	(89)
Asset Impairments [Member] | Paints [Member]
Expense	1,265
Activity	(1,265)
Exit Costs (Consulting/Site Clean-Up) [Member] | Coatings [Member]
Liability Beginning Balance	2,802	2,034
Expense	164	427
Activity	(393)	(821)
Liability Ending Balance	2,573	1,640
Exit Costs (Consulting/Site Clean-Up) [Member] | Paints [Member]
Liability Beginning Balance	408	2,763
Expense	679	400
Activity	(809)	(508)
Liability Ending Balance	278	2,655
Contract Term Costs (Leases) [Member] | Coatings [Member]
Expense		567
Activity		$ (567)