I am in the process of repainting my kitchen. Should I use a particular primer and paint behind the stove, countertops and sink? Could I use gloss over an oil based primer?

I don't know much about primer paint but I don't think it would be good. Also I prefer the glossy paint in the kitchen (and most rooms) because it does clean up better than the other paints. Flat paint is about impossible to clean.

Are the walls perfectly flat? If they are and might be dirty at all, then I would suggest the first thing to do would be to wash them. Then I would do make any repairs that might be needed? Before going any further, I would suggest finding out what kind of paint is presently on the wall to make a determination as to whether you will be using oil-based or latex-based products. You can paint latex over oil but not oil over latex.

Traditionally, the most popular color for kitchen walls and sometimes the ceiling has been a light yellow of some kind. That's just a bit of trivia for you!

If the paint is really old that's already in there, then I would use a primer. For durability purposes in a kitchen area, it's good to be able to wash the walls if anything should splatter or build-up on them because of the cooking that takes place. In order to be able to wash walls the easiest and without altering the color of the painted surface while cleaning it, it's best not to be using a flat paint, but one that has some kind of sheen to it, such as, satin, semi-gloss or gloss. Normal number of top coats after painting on the primer, or even if not using a primer, would be two.

I like to use Sherwin-Williams paints because they are rated very high and I have had excellent results when using them. They also make Dutch Boy paints, if money might be an issue. I used Dutch Boy paint on large portions of the outside of my home about six years ago. I live in the upper Midwest of the U.S. The paint still has a fresh look to it!

It's important to determine what is on the painted surfaces already - oil or latex? To determine what type of paint is already on the surfaces, one way is to put a small amount of denatured alcohol on a cotton ball, paper towel or rag of some kind and then rub it onto an area that is not very highly visible using small circular motions. If paint comes off onto what you are using for the rubbing, then the paint is most likely latex-based. If it's oil-based, then normally the paint won't come off doing that test. You can also touch the area with your fingertips to see if it feels tacky after doing the test. If it does feel tacky, then it's latex and not oil.

Thanks!