Income Taxes - Uncertain Tax Positions - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Uncertain Tax Positions [Abstract]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$ 19,097	$ 7,050	$ 6,761	$ 6,240
Accrued Interest	2,300	600
Accrued Penalties	3,100	800
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Expense	200	100	200
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Tax Penalties Income	200	200	700
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Interest Income On Income Taxes	(200)	100	(200)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reductions Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations	1,029	1,292	2,116
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Estimated Range of Change, Upper Bound	3,900
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	$ 13,300	$ 2,200	$ 2,200
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2016
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | The Netherlands [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2013
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | United Kingdom [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2014
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	2015
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | China [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2009
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Italy [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2006
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 through 2013. The Company has filed for competent authority relief from these assessments under the Mutual Agreement Procedures (“MAP”) of the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development for all years except 2007. During the second quarter of 2018, the Italian tax authorities assessed additional tax due from Quaker Italia, S.r.l., relating to the tax years 2014 and 2015. The Company met with the Italian tax authorities in the fourth quarter of 2018 to discuss these assessments and no resolution was agreed upon, so the Company filed an appeal with the first level of tax court in Italy. If the appeal is not successful in materially reducing the assessed tax, then the Company will further evaluate its options including potentially filing forcompetent authority relief from these assessments under MAP, consistent with the Company’s previous filings for 2008 through 2013. As of December 31, 2019, the Company believes it has adequate reserves for uncertain tax positions with respect to these and all other audits.Houghton Italia, S.r.l is also currently involved in a corporate income tax audit with the Italian tax authorities covering tax years 2014 through 2017.
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Mexico [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2015
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | India [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2018
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Canada [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2010
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Germany [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2015
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2010