Earnings Per Share - Basic (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income Attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$ 11,142	$ 16,008	$ 30,040	$ 43,969
Less: Income Allocated to Participating Securities	(76)	(130)	(222)	(373)
Net Income Available to Common Shareholders	$ 11,066	$ 15,878	$ 29,818	$ 43,596
Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding	13,217,165	13,143,884	13,196,255	13,128,996
Basic Earnings Per Common Share	$ 0.84	$ 1.21	$ 2.26	$ 3.32