Terry, I agree with you on the spray and bought it with my first decal kit, not knowing any better. I'm likely not going to get another can of it but rather go with something like what you've described.
Here are a couple of shots after I sprayed the model with a mix of Future and Tamiya Flat Base, just enough to leave a bit of a sheen. Sorry for the quality of the pics - shook it a bit.
Next will be to spray the rough winter camo. Profiles and the Hasegawa instructions indicate an oversray of thin RLM 76 but I'm looking at pictures and wondering if in fact it was the white temporary paint. Any learned opinion would be welcome.
Doesn't appear to be any on top from photos Paul. Hasegawa's instructions show a bit on the fuselage top but with a close look at the photos, I believe the camo stops on the vertical surface. Tailplanes are possible though as the crews would have needed a ladder to get to the fin and, why not do the tailplane while you're at it?