Reportable Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Reportable segment information
Net external sales	$ 2,354,751,000	$ 2,143,064,000	$ 4,210,337,000	$ 3,708,546,000
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	2,354,751,000	2,143,064,000	4,210,337,000	3,708,546,000
Segment profit	314,072,000	332,607,000	460,830,000	440,830,000
Interest expense	(11,747,000)	(26,340,000)	(22,422,000)	(37,909,000)
Administrative expenses and other	(45,309,000)	(47,019,000)	(86,679,000)	(84,214,000)
Income before income taxes	257,016,000	259,248,000	351,729,000	318,707,000
Reportable Segment Information (Textuals) [Abstract]
Net external sales	2,354,751,000	2,143,064,000	4,210,337,000	3,708,546,000
Segment profit	314,072,000	332,607,000	460,830,000	440,830,000
Export sales and sales to individual customer	Less than 10 % of consolidated sales to unaffiliated customers	Less than 10 % of consolidated sales to unaffiliated customers	Less than 10 % of consolidated sales to unaffiliated customers	Less than 10 % of consolidated sales to unaffiliated customers
Paint Stores Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales	1,299,047,000	1,244,979,000	2,228,314,000	2,095,892,000
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	1,299,047,000	1,244,979,000	2,228,314,000	2,095,892,000
Segment profit	206,631,000	211,959,000	275,488,000	259,715,000
Income before income taxes	206,631,000	211,959,000	275,488,000	259,715,000
Reportable Segment Information (Textuals) [Abstract]
Mark-up on intersegment transfers realized as a result of external sales included in segment profit	6,861,000	6,402,000	11,809,000	10,421,000
Net external sales	1,299,047,000	1,244,979,000	2,228,314,000	2,095,892,000
Segment profit	206,631,000	211,959,000	275,488,000	259,715,000
Consumer Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales	375,634,000	410,216,000	670,564,000	702,365,000
Intersegment transfers	576,422,000	515,886,000	994,570,000	869,722,000
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	952,056,000	926,102,000	1,665,134,000	1,572,087,000
Segment profit	61,371,000	80,694,000	102,462,000	118,159,000
Income before income taxes	61,371,000	80,694,000	102,462,000	118,159,000
Reportable Segment Information (Textuals) [Abstract]
Net external sales	375,634,000	410,216,000	670,564,000	702,365,000
Segment profit	61,371,000	80,694,000	102,462,000	118,159,000
Global Finishes Group [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales	678,871,000	486,547,000	1,309,037,000	907,646,000
Intersegment transfers	6,621,000	4,542,000	12,492,000	8,999,000
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	685,492,000	491,089,000	1,321,529,000	916,645,000
Segment profit	46,070,000	39,954,000	82,880,000	62,956,000
Income before income taxes	46,070,000	39,954,000	82,880,000	62,956,000
Reportable Segment Information (Textuals) [Abstract]
Net external sales	678,871,000	486,547,000	1,309,037,000	907,646,000
Segment profit	46,070,000	39,954,000	82,880,000	62,956,000
Administrative [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales	1,199,000	1,322,000	2,422,000	2,643,000
Intersegment transfers	(583,043,000)	(520,428,000)	(1,007,062,000)	(878,721,000)
Total net sales and intersegment transfers	(581,844,000)	(519,106,000)	(1,004,640,000)	(876,078,000)
Interest expense	(11,747,000)	(26,340,000)	(22,422,000)	(37,909,000)
Administrative expenses and other	(45,309,000)	(47,019,000)	(86,679,000)	(84,214,000)
Income before income taxes	(57,056,000)	(73,359,000)	(109,101,000)	(122,123,000)
Reportable Segment Information (Textuals) [Abstract]
Net external sales	1,199,000	1,322,000	2,422,000	2,643,000
Consolidated foreign subsidiaries [Member]
Reportable segment information
Net external sales	507,100,000	337,400,000	977,100,000	619,100,000
Segment profit	34,400,000	24,000,000	61,800,000	48,200,000
Reportable Segment Information (Textuals) [Abstract]
Net external sales	507,100,000	337,400,000	977,100,000	619,100,000
Segment profit	34,400,000	24,000,000	61,800,000	48,200,000
Long-lived assets	$ 671,100,000	$ 271,400,000	$ 671,100,000	$ 271,400,000