Quarterly Results - Unaudited (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Quarterly Results (unaudited) [Abstract]

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

			First		Second		Third		Fourth
			Quarter (1)		Quarter (2)		Quarter (3)		Quarter (4)
2018
	Net sales		$	212,055	$	221,962	$	222,022	$	211,481
	Gross profit			75,447		80,937		81,093		74,838
	Operating income			20,231		22,563		24,919		20,068
	Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation			12,732		19,246		19,690		7,805
	Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
		Common Shareholders - Basic (5)	$	0.96	$	1.44	$	1.48	$	0.59
	Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
		Common Shareholders - Diluted (5)	$	0.95	$	1.44	$	1.47	$	0.58
2017
	Net sales		$	194,909	$	201,183	$	212,918	$	211,072
	Gross profit			70,887		71,835		74,776		73,997
	Operating income			13,758		17,903		14,009		17,074
	Net income (loss) attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation			6,992		11,906		11,142		(9,762)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
		Common Shareholders - Basic (5)	$	0.53	$	0.90	$	0.84	$	(0.73)
	Net income (loss) attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
		Common Shareholders - Diluted (5)	$	0.52	$	0.89	$	0.83	$	(0.73)