Reportable Segment Information - (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	$ 3,152,285	$ 3,150,570	$ 8,734,708	$ 8,560,121
Segment profit	652,962	583,339	1,542,271	1,366,026
Interest expense	(16,995)	(16,025)	(42,231)	(48,793)
Administrative expenses and other	(85,245)	(93,266)	(248,295)	(247,878)
Income before income taxes	550,722	474,048	1,251,745	1,069,355
Paint Stores Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	2,087,263	2,027,485	5,533,753	5,270,080
Consumer Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	421,633	385,238	1,263,365	1,143,893
Global Finishes Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	486,133	536,261	1,461,456	1,578,497
Latin America Coatings Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	156,019	200,367	472,318	563,975
Administrative [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	1,237	1,219	3,816	3,676
Intersegment Transfers [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	(771,099)	(814,643)	(2,170,814)	(2,150,949)
Intersegment Transfers [Member] | Consumer Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	760,376	802,249	2,136,577	2,114,891
Intersegment Transfers [Member] | Global Finishes Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	682	2,097	3,643	5,712
Intersegment Transfers [Member] | Latin America Coatings Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	10,041	10,297	30,594	30,346
Operating Segments [Member] | Paint Stores Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	2,087,263	2,027,485	5,533,753	5,270,080
Segment profit	507,411	431,840	1,117,368	953,962
Income before income taxes	507,411	431,840	1,117,368	953,962
Operating Segments [Member] | Consumer Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	1,182,009	1,187,487	3,399,942	3,258,784
Segment profit	88,273	78,956	257,926	222,532
Income before income taxes	88,273	78,956	257,926	222,532
Operating Segments [Member] | Global Finishes Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	486,815	538,358	1,465,099	1,584,209
Segment profit	55,133	60,751	151,301	162,093
Income before income taxes	55,133	60,751	151,301	162,093
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America Coatings Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	166,060	210,664	502,912	594,321
Segment profit	2,145	11,792	15,676	27,439
Income before income taxes	2,145	11,792	15,676	27,439
Administrative and Intersegment Transfers [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	(769,862)	(813,424)	(2,166,998)	(2,147,273)
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Reportable segment information
Interest expense	(16,995)	(16,025)	(42,231)	(48,793)
Administrative expenses and other	(85,245)	(93,266)	(248,295)	(247,878)
Income before income taxes	$ (102,240)	$ (109,291)	$ (290,526)	$ (296,671)