Quarterly Results - Unaudited (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Quarterly Results (unaudited) [Abstract]

Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]

			First (1)		Second (2)		Third (3)		Fourth (4)
2012			(re-cast)		(re-cast)		(re-cast)
	Net sales		$	177,638	$	176,797	$	180,923	$	172,868
	Gross profit			59,795		60,636		59,126		59,154
	Operating income			16,702		16,983		15,863		13,676
	Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation			12,365		11,108		10,925		13,007
	Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
		Common Shareholders - Basic	$	0.96	$	0.86	$	0.84	$	0.99
	Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
		Common Shareholders - Diluted	$	0.95	$	0.85	$	0.83	$	0.99
			First (1)		Second (2)		Third (3)		Fourth (4)
2011			(re-cast)		(re-cast)		(re-cast)		(re-cast)
	Net sales		$	159,865	$	167,792	$	182,313	$	173,261
	Gross profit			52,734		53,766		59,486		56,664
	Operating income			14,100		14,941		17,504		11,367
	Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation			11,026		10,554		13,942		10,370
	Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
		Common Shareholders - Basic	$	0.96	$	0.86	$	1.09	$	0.80
	Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
		Common Shareholders - Diluted	$	0.94	$	0.85	$	1.07	$	0.80

Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block]

Income Statement:		2011		2010
Equity in net income of associated companies	$	2,323	$	313
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$	2,323	$	313
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation Common Shareholders - Diluted	$	0.19	$	0.03
Balance Sheet:
Investments in associated companies	$	6,131	$	3,938
Other assets		(500)		(500)
Total assets	$	5,631	$	3,438
Retained earnings	$	4,778	$	2,455
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		853		983
Total equity	$	5,631	$	3,438

	Three Months Ended
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income	March 31, 2012		June 30, 2012		September 30, 2012
Equity in net income of associated companies	$	419	$	568	$	439
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$	419	$	568	$	439
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation Common Shareholders - Diluted	$	0.04	$	0.04	$	0.03
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet	March 31, 2012		June 30, 2012		September 30, 2012
Investments in associated companies	$	7,620	$	7,819	$	8,685
Other assets		(500)		(500)		(500)
Total assets	$	7,120	$	7,319	$	8,185
Retained earnings	$	5,197	$	5,765	$	6,204
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		1,923		1,554		1,981
Total equity	$	7,120	$	7,319	$	8,185
	Three Months Ended
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income	March 31, 2011		June 30, 2011		September 30, 2011		December 31, 2011
Equity in net income of associated companies	$	426	$	713	$	584	$	600
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$	426	$	713	$	584	$	600
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation Common Shareholders - Diluted	$	0.03	$	0.06	$	0.04	$	0.05
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet	March 31, 2011		June 30, 2011		September 30, 2011		December 31, 2011
Investments in associated companies	$	4,486	$	5,248	$	4,919	$	6,131
Other assets		(500)		(500)		(500)		(500)
Total assets	$	3,986	$	4,748	$	4,419	$	5,631
Retained earnings	$	2,881	$	3,594	$	4,178	$	4,778
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		1,105		1,154		241		853
Total equity	$	3,986	$	4,748	$	4,419	$	5,631