CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 57,839	$ 62,632
Depreciation and amortization	4,346	5,299
Deferred income taxes	18,332	14,976
Equity in Kronos Worldwide, Inc.	(71,951)	(71,487)
Distributions from Kronos Worldwide, Inc.	15,849	32,578
Benefit plan expense greater (less) than cash funding:
Litigation settlement gain	(14,964)
Reversal of accrued contingent consideration	(778)
Assets held for sale write-down	405	1,135
Other, net	383	472
Change in assets and liabilities:
Accounts and other receivables, net	(2,825)	(18,118)
Inventories, net	338	(872)
Prepaid expenses and other	(442)	(835)
Accrued environmental remediation and related costs	7,820	1,660
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(1,404)	(5,191)
Income taxes	(1,432)	565
Accounts with affiliates	800	2,958
Other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net	(2,571)	(1,151)
Net cash provided by operating activities	9,414	24,003
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(3,172)	(1,838)
Acquisition, net of cash acquired		(4,903)
Proceeds from real estate-related litigation settlement	15,603
Change in restricted cash equivalents	(1,736)	2,662
Proceeds from the sale of:
Marketable securities		237
Fixed assets	48
Purchase of marketable securities		(104)
Other, net		151
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	10,743	(3,795)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash dividends paid	(18,250)	(18,248)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests in subsidiary	(613)	(611)
Indebtedness:
Borrowings	25,350	26,148
Repayments	(29,500)	(29,009)
Other, net	(60)	32
Net cash used in financing activities	(23,073)	(21,207)
Cash and cash equivalents-net change from:
Operating, investing and financing activities	(2,916)	(999)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	46	(245)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	11,652	15,461
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	8,782	14,217
Cash paid for:
Interest	684	2,073
Income taxes, net	2,181	763
Non-cash investing activity:
Accrual for capital expenditures	546	320
NL [Member]
Proceeds from issuance of common stock:
CompX common stock		342
CompX [Member]
Proceeds from issuance of common stock:
CompX common stock		139
Pension plans [Member]
Benefit plan expense greater (less) than cash funding:
Defined benefit pension plans	149	(195)
OPEB plan [Member]
Benefit plan expense greater (less) than cash funding:
Defined benefit pension plans	$ (480)	$ (423)