Reportable Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	$ 3,279,462	$ 3,152,285	$ 9,073,011	$ 8,734,708
Segment profit	674,499	652,962	1,712,532	1,542,271
Interest expense	(44,100)	(16,995)	(110,710)	(42,231)
Administrative expenses and other	(94,779)	(85,245)	(310,623)	(248,295)
Income before income taxes	535,620	550,722	1,291,199	1,251,745
Paint Stores Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	2,227,891	2,087,263	5,951,457	5,533,753
Consumer Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	412,901	421,633	1,268,502	1,263,365
Global Finishes Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	480,743	486,133	1,434,065	1,461,456
Latin America Coatings Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	156,637	156,019	415,131	472,318
Operating Segments [Member] | Paint Stores Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	2,227,891	2,087,263	5,951,457	5,533,753
Segment profit	518,309	507,411	1,280,833	1,117,368
Income before income taxes	518,309	507,411	1,280,833	1,117,368
Operating Segments [Member] | Consumer Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	1,173,495	1,182,009	3,406,682	3,399,942
Segment profit	92,047	88,273	264,306	257,926
Income before income taxes	92,047	88,273	264,306	257,926
Operating Segments [Member] | Global Finishes Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	483,697	486,815	1,445,000	1,465,099
Segment profit	63,169	55,133	176,990	151,301
Income before income taxes	63,169	55,133	176,990	151,301
Operating Segments [Member] | Latin America Coatings Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	166,985	166,060	444,132	502,912
Segment profit	974	2,145	(9,597)	15,676
Income before income taxes	974	2,145	(9,597)	15,676
Administrative and Intersegment Transfers [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	(772,606)	(769,862)	(2,174,260)	(2,166,998)
Administrative [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	1,290	1,237	3,856	3,816
Intersegment Transfers [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	(773,896)	(771,099)	(2,178,116)	(2,170,814)
Intersegment Transfers [Member] | Consumer Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	760,594	760,376	2,138,180	2,136,577
Intersegment Transfers [Member] | Global Finishes Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	2,954	682	10,935	3,643
Intersegment Transfers [Member] | Latin America Coatings Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	10,348	10,041	29,001	30,594
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Reportable segment information
Interest expense	(44,100)	(16,995)	(110,710)	(42,231)
Administrative expenses and other	(94,779)	(85,245)	(310,623)	(248,295)
Income before income taxes	$ (138,879)	$ (102,240)	$ (421,333)	$ (290,526)