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So I'm having a little bit of trouble priming. I'm using the Citadel black primer, and I keep getting minor detail loss. Is this normal?

I typically hit each side with a quick burst of spray about 10in (25cm) away and touch up the underside or the odd crevice with another quick burst.

I know what you mean. I think that extra stroke for the odd crevice just applies all too much color. Make sure you spray from really far away when doing this or just leave it be. after painting and washing with something oily or black the recesses will be black enough for any purpose and the extra paint you spray on when priming really messes with the fine detail. Because of this I have a khorne herald swimming in isoprop right now.

Use sweeping motions to cover the model - that way the paint stream is not there too long.

I will say, having used many primers, including the citadel, it is a bit "thick" compared to some other brands, and requires a lighter touch to get it where i want it.

Thicker primers;
army painter colored primers
hardware store primers (rustoleum 2x cover primer is my fav)
citadel primers

Thinner primers;
Armory brand (very nice).
some hobby brand surfacers
Airbrush primers.

If you want a bit more info, do a search on spray primers, you will find this topic (and how to avoid "gritty primer") are very common topic.

best of luck!

Another "primer" mistake people make is that they will cover the entire model in a solid layer of primer. This is a poor technique, the primer should be applied in a thin, semi-transparent layer. You should be able to see a little bit of the base color of the model peeking through.

A.

You being using Vallejo airbrush primers, they always do a [insert thin object here] thin layer.

Since you'll practically never get complete coverage with aerosol primer, get some brush-on to get into the crevices and finish the job without risking loss of detail.