Income Taxes - Uncertain Tax Positions - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Uncertain Tax Positions [Abstract]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$ 6,240	$ 11,032	$ 11,845	$ 12,596
Accrued Interest	700	1,500
Accrued Penalties	1,600	1,900
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Tax Penalties Income	(200)		(100)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Interest Income On Income Taxes	(700)	(200)	(100)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties Expense		200
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reductions Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations	5,744	1,924	2,078
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Estimated Range of Change, Lower Bound	1,000
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Estimated Range of Change, Upper Bound	1,100
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	$ 1,800	$ 1,100	$ 1,100
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2013
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | The Netherlands [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2010
Income Tax Examination Description	In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Dutch tax authorities assessed the Company’s subsidiary, Quaker Chemical B.V., for additional income taxes related to the 2011 tax year and Quaker Chemical B.V. filed a protest of such assessment. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company settled with the Dutch tax authorities for matters related to transfer pricing issues for 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, with no change to the income tax returns as filed.
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | United Kingdom [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2011
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Brazil [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2000
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Spain [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2012
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | China [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2012
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Italy [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2007
Income Tax Examination Description	As previously reported, the Italian tax authorities have assessed additional tax due from the Company’s subsidiary, Quaker Italia S.r.l., relating to the tax years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Italian tax authorities assessed Quaker Italia S.r.l. for additional tax due relating to the tax years 2011, 2012, and 2013.
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | France [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination Description	In the first quarter of 2016, the French tax authorities gave notice that they were auditing the Company’s subsidiary Quaker Chemical S.A, and subsequently, during the second quarter of 2016, gave notice that they closed the audit with no additional tax assessed.
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	1993