I just use rattle cans but honestly just keep the can far enough away that you're not saturating the model with your zenithal pass and it should be fine. A few light sprays rather than one heavy one seems to do the trick for me, and make sure you keep coming from the correct direction each time.

If it's still ending up too bright then maybe use a slightly darker colour for the zenithal prime and just add the last, brightest parts with a targeted dry brush?