Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 419,432	$ 385,155
Operating costs and expenses:
Costs of products sold (excluding depreciation and amortization)	351,839	316,983
Selling and administrative	58,068	60,164
Depreciation and amortization	21,379	21,376
Charge for asbestos litigation	32,910	0
Loss on disposal of assets	128	401
Total operating expenses	464,324	398,924
Loss from continuing operations	(44,892)	(13,769)
Other income (expense):
Investment-related income	533	133
Interest expense	(4,130)	(3,085)
Other – net	4,682	(721)
Total other income (expense)	1,085	(3,673)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and gain on sale of joint venture	(43,807)	(17,442)
Income tax (provision) benefit	(268)	1,355
Gain on sale of joint venture	500	1,036
Net loss from continuing operations	(43,575)	(15,051)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	(23,901)	3,749
Net loss	(67,476)	(11,302)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,859	787
Net loss attributable to Ampco-Pittsburgh	$ (69,335)	$ (12,089)
Net loss from continuing operations per common share:
Basic	$ (3.50)	$ (1.22)
Diluted	(3.50)	(1.22)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations per common share:
Basic	(1.92)	0.30
Diluted	(1.92)	0.30
Net loss per common share attributable to Ampco-Pittsburgh:
Basic	(5.57)	(0.98)
Diluted	$ (5.57)	$ (0.98)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	12,448,000	12,330,000
Diluted	12,447,919	12,330,401