Reportable Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	$ 3,219,525	$ 3,132,139	$ 5,793,549	$ 5,582,423
Segment profit	672,881	608,927	1,038,033	889,309
Interest expense	(40,878)	(12,885)	(66,610)	(25,236)
Administrative expenses and other	(92,789)	(88,260)	(215,844)	(163,050)
Income before income taxes	539,214	507,782	755,579	701,023
Paint Stores Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	2,108,259	1,984,985	3,723,566	3,446,490
Consumer Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	477,515	490,042	855,601	841,732
Global Finishes Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	499,156	505,767	953,322	975,323
Latin America Coatings Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	133,307	150,068	258,494	316,299
Operating Segments [Member] | Paint Stores Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	2,108,259	1,984,985	3,723,566	3,446,490
Segment profit	508,990	433,381	762,524	609,957
Income before income taxes	508,990	433,381	762,524	609,957
Operating Segments [Member] | Consumer Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	1,241,471	1,258,705	2,233,187	2,217,933
Segment profit	108,296	114,247	172,259	169,653
Income before income taxes	108,296	114,247	172,259	169,653
Operating Segments [Member] | Global Finishes Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	505,181	506,955	961,303	978,285
Segment profit	65,238	57,268	113,821	96,168
Income before income taxes	65,238	57,268	113,821	96,168
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America Coatings Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	143,267	160,552	277,147	336,852
Segment profit	(9,643)	4,031	(10,571)	13,531
Income before income taxes	(9,643)	4,031	(10,571)	13,531
Administrative and Intersegment Transfers [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	(778,653)	(779,058)	(1,401,654)	(1,397,137)
Administrative [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	1,288	1,277	2,566	2,579
Intersegment Transfers [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	(779,941)	(780,335)	(1,404,220)	(1,399,716)
Intersegment Transfers [Member] | Consumer Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	763,956	768,663	1,377,586	1,376,201
Intersegment Transfers [Member] | Global Finishes Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	6,025	1,188	7,981	2,962
Intersegment Transfers [Member] | Latin America Coatings Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	9,960	10,484	18,653	20,553
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Reportable segment information
Interest expense	(40,878)	(12,885)	(66,610)	(25,236)
Administrative expenses and other	(92,789)	(88,260)	(215,844)	(163,050)
Income before income taxes	$ (133,667)	$ (101,145)	$ (282,454)	$ (188,286)