Restructuring (Restructuring Charges By Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2012	Apr. 29, 2011	Apr. 27, 2012	Apr. 29, 2011
Liability Beginning Balance			$ 10,446	$ 5,955
Expense	4,418	1,462	9,515	2,858
Activity			(11,179)	(4,991)
Liability Ending Balance	8,782	3,822	8,782	3,822
Coatings [Member]
Liability Beginning Balance			6,686	3,173
Expense			1,035	2,458
Activity			(4,297)	(3,284)
Liability Ending Balance	3,424	2,347	3,424	2,347
Paints [Member]
Liability Beginning Balance			3,323	2,782
Expense			7,798	400
Activity			(5,920)	(1,707)
Liability Ending Balance	5,201	1,475	5,201	1,475
All Other [Member]
Liability Beginning Balance			437
Expense			682
Activity			(962)
Liability Ending Balance	157		157
Severance And Employee Benefits [Member] | Coatings [Member]
Liability Beginning Balance			3,884	1,139
Expense			532	1,112
Activity			(2,125)	(1,499)
Liability Ending Balance	2,291	752	2,291	752
Severance And Employee Benefits [Member] | Paints [Member]
Liability Beginning Balance			2,915	19
Expense			3,066
Activity			(2,318)	(18)
Liability Ending Balance	3,663	1	3,663	1
Severance And Employee Benefits [Member] | All Other [Member]
Liability Beginning Balance			437
Expense			682
Activity			(962)
Liability Ending Balance	157		157
Asset Impairments [Member] | Coatings [Member]
Expense			312	252
Asset impairments			(312)	(252)
Asset Impairments [Member] | Paints [Member]
Expense			2,911
Asset impairments			(2,911)
Exit Costs (Consulting/Site Clean-Up) [Member] | Coatings [Member]
Liability Beginning Balance			2,802	2,034
Expense			191	1,094
Activity			(1,860)	(1,533)
Liability Ending Balance	1,133	1,595	1,133	1,595
Exit Costs (Consulting/Site Clean-Up) [Member] | Paints [Member]
Liability Beginning Balance			408	2,763
Expense			1,821	400
Activity			(691)	(1,689)
Liability Ending Balance	$ 1,538	$ 1,474	$ 1,538	$ 1,474