Reportable Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Reportable segment information
Net external sales and intersegment transfers	$ 2,366,556		$ 2,167,168
Segment profit	253,817		238,455
Interest expense	(16,394)		(15,311)
Administrative expenses and other	(71,346)		(54,760)
Income before income taxes	166,077		168,384
Paint Stores Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales and intersegment transfers	1,360,003		1,167,937
Segment profit	146,265		129,713
Income before income taxes	146,265		129,713
Consumer Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales and intersegment transfers	871,861		816,284
Segment profit	51,088	[1]	53,972	[1]
Income before income taxes	51,088		53,972
Reportable Segment Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Mark-up on intersegment transfers realized as result of external sales included in segment profit	6,434		6,170
Global Finishes Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales and intersegment transfers	499,052		488,109
Segment profit	46,477		33,931
Income before income taxes	46,477		33,931
Latin America Coatings Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales and intersegment transfers	192,510		212,857
Segment profit	9,987		20,839
Income before income taxes	9,987		20,839
Administrative [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales and intersegment transfers	(556,870)		(518,019)
Interest expense	(16,394)		(15,311)
Administrative expenses and other	(71,346)		(54,760)
Income before income taxes	(87,740)		(70,071)
Operating Segments [Member] | Paint Stores Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales and intersegment transfers	1,360,003		1,167,937
Operating Segments [Member] | Consumer Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales and intersegment transfers	325,299		308,580
Operating Segments [Member] | Global Finishes Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales and intersegment transfers	497,639		486,818
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America Coatings Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales and intersegment transfers	182,388		202,636
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] | Administrative [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales and intersegment transfers	1,227		1,197
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Administrative [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales and intersegment transfers	(558,097)		(519,216)
Intersegment Transfers [Member] | Consumer Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales and intersegment transfers	546,562		507,704
Intersegment Transfers [Member] | Global Finishes Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales and intersegment transfers	1,413		1,291
Intersegment Transfers [Member] | Latin America Coatings Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales and intersegment transfers	$ 10,122		$ 10,221

[1] Segment profit includes $6,434 and $6,170 of mark-up on intersegment transfers realized as a result of external sales by the Paint Stores Group during the first quarter of 2014 and 2013, respectively.