Wow! Thanks for the comments guys. Fubar, your post is very informative. I appreciate the details, and it turns out everything you said about what can go wrong did go wrong. Sure wish I had read your comments before priming!
The primer came out too thick. Now I've almost finished removing the primer using a Qtip dipped in white spirit and also a toothpick. That stuff doesn't come off so easily!
When I removed the canopy masks, I did see lots of paint lifting. It gets worse... as I was removing the primer from one of the engine nacelles, I noticed that the nacelle was quite loose at the back end. Instead of just applying more glue to that part of the piece, I created a problem by removing the entire engine. This resulted in a nasty crack on the joint where the engine meets the wing. I had previously applied lots of putty to seal that joint, so when I took the engine off the putty just took some of the plastic with it.
But no surrender! Here's my game plan to fix things. 1)Remove all residue of Vallejo primer. 2)Fill the crack on the wing/engine joint with Tamiya epoxy and sand it smooth. 3)Mask the canopy again. 4) Prime it all with Tamiya Fine Surface Primer. What do you all think? I'm open to all suggestions.
Migrant, I can strongly sympathize with how you feel about Vallejo! I'd really like to give the stuff a chance, but I'm terrified of the primer now. For health reasons, I'd much prefer to use acrylics, but if I think I might have to compromise on my "acrylics only" policy.
Fubar, you mentioned that you spray Vallejo primer at 15-17 psi. I have a Tamiya basic "Spray Work" compressor. It doesn't allow me to adjust air pressure. Will this be a problem spraying acrylics?
I'll show you all a pic of the model soon, including that hideous gap.Anyhow, this is a learning experience. Challenges help us grow, right?
Your help is much appreciated!