Earnings Per Share - Basic (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income Attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$ 19,690	$ 11,142	$ 51,668	$ 30,040
Less: Income Allocated to Participating Securities	(77)	(76)	(226)	(222)
Net Income Available to Common Shareholders	$ 19,613	$ 11,066	$ 51,442	$ 29,818
Basic Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding	13,278,259	13,217,165	13,263,417	13,196,255
Basic Earnings Per Common Share	$ 1.48	$ 0.84	$ 3.88	$ 2.26