Reportable Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012
Reportable segment information
Net external sales	$ 2,713,889		$ 2,573,022		$ 4,881,057		$ 4,709,366
Segment profit	467,332		405,052		705,787		621,594
Interest expense	(15,069)		(10,230)		(30,380)		(20,567)
Administrative expenses and other	(71,379)		(67,019)		(126,139)		(130,909)
Income before income taxes	380,884		327,803		549,268		470,118
Paint Stores Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales	1,606,509		1,488,109		2,774,446		2,611,187
Segment profit	332,972		266,982		462,685		379,694
Income before income taxes	332,972		266,982		462,685		379,694
Consumer Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales	1,051,862		1,053,025		1,868,146		1,876,898
Segment profit	79,042	[1]	80,757	[1]	133,014	[2]	136,063	[2]
Income before income taxes	79,042		80,757		133,014		136,063
Reportable Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Mark-up on intersegment transfers realized as result of external sales included in segment profit	8,108		7,968		14,278		14,644
Global Finishes Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales	517,264		500,628		1,005,373		986,033
Segment profit	54,462		48,032		88,393		76,669
Income before income taxes	54,462		48,032		88,393		76,669
Latin America Coatings Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales	208,682		198,930		421,539		418,498
Segment profit	856		9,281		21,695		29,168
Income before income taxes	856		9,281		21,695		29,168
Administrative [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales	(670,428)		(667,670)		(1,188,447)		(1,183,250)
Interest expense	(15,069)		(10,230)		(30,380)		(20,567)
Administrative expenses and other	(71,379)		(67,019)		(126,139)		(130,909)
Income before income taxes	(86,448)		(77,249)		(156,519)		(151,476)
Operating Segments [Member] | Consumer Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales	393,660		397,749		702,240		718,122
Operating Segments [Member] | Global Finishes Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales	513,524		498,693		1,000,342		981,768
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America Coatings Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales	198,991		187,281		401,627		395,874
Operating Segments [Member] | Administrative [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales	1,205		1,190		2,402		2,415
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Consumer Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales	658,202		655,276		1,165,906		1,158,776
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Global Finishes Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales	3,740		1,935		5,031		4,265
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Latin America Coatings Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales	9,691		11,649		19,912		22,624
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Administrative [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales	$ (671,633)		$ (668,860)		$ (1,190,849)		$ (1,185,665)

[1] Segment profit includes $8,108 and $7,968 of mark-up on intersegment transfers realized as a result of external sales by the Paint Stores Group during the second quarter of 2013 and 2012, respectively. Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 Paint StoresGroup ConsumerGroup GlobalFinishesGroup Latin AmericaCoatings Group Administrative ConsolidatedTotalsNet external sales$2,774,446 $702,240 $1,000,342 $401,627 $2,402 $4,881,057Intersegment transfers 1,165,906 5,031 19,912 (1,190,849) Total net sales and intersegment transfers$2,774,446 $1,868,146 $1,005,373 $421,539 $(1,188,447) $4,881,057 Segment profit$462,685 $133,014(2) $88,393 $21,695 $705,787Interest expense $(30,380) (30,380)Administrative expenses and other (126,139) (126,139)Income before income taxes$462,685 $133,014 $88,393 $21,695 $(156,519) $549,268

[2] Segment profit includes $14,278 and $14,644 of mark-up on intersegment transfers realized as a result of external sales by the Paint Stores Group during the first six months of 2013 and 2012, respectively.