Earnings Per Share - Basic (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net (loss) income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$ (13,053)	$ 19,690	$ 16,382	$ 51,668
Less: (Loss) income allocated to participating securities	46	(77)	(40)	(226)
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders	$ (13,007)	$ 19,613	$ 16,342	$ 51,442
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	16,185,724	13,278,259	14,271,121	13,263,417
Basic (loss) earnings per common share	$ (0.80)	$ 1.48	$ 1.15	$ 3.88