Inventories - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Percentage of inventories valued on the LIFO method	52.00%us-gaap_PercentageOfLIFOInventory	56.00%us-gaap_PercentageOfLIFOInventory
The LIFO reserve approximated	$ (23,299)us-gaap_InventoryLIFOReserve	$ (26,404)us-gaap_InventoryLIFOReserve
Decrease in costs of products sold	2,196	1,803	277
Net income	$ 1,427	$ 1,172	$ 180
Common per share	$ 0.14	$ 0.11	$ 0.02

The effect of liquidating LIFO (last in first out) inventory layers on costs of products sold (excluding depreciation).

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The effect of liquidating LIFO (last in first out) inventory layers on earnings per common share.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ap_EffectOfLiquidationsIncreaseInEarningsPerShare
Namespace Prefix:	ap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The effect of liquidating LIFO (last in first out) inventory layers on income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 330

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011343&loc=d3e100079-122729

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 330

-SubTopic 10

-Section S50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6386917&loc=d3e99609-122727

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 330

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 11.F)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011343&loc=d3e100079-122729

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 11

-Section F

+ Details

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- Details

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- Definition

Amount of difference between inventory at lower of LIFO cost or market and inventory at lower of other inventory accounting method cost or market, for example, but not limited to, FIFO or average cost.

+ References

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The percentage of LIFO (last in first out) inventory to total inventory as of the balance sheet date if other than 100 percent.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant