Perhaps some of you more experienced scale model builders can give me a little insight.

When building a scale model, do you take into consideration the added thickness of primers and color coats when sizing the various unpainted parts dimensions. Obvious, this would effect smaller models the most, since paint thickness would translate into measurable 'scale millimeters' to the overall model.
Is this even a concern except for the most meticulous of scale builders?

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Just remember...G. Harry Stine's first ever model rocket was an RTF !

Check out my wonderful model rocketry blog here:
https://castlerocketeer.blogspot.com/

I think a converse question would be when scaling a real rocket, do we take the real paint thickness into account, and increase our model's diameter by 1/48, 1/144th, or 1/100th of the real paint thickness?

For me, and I assume for others, the real rivet thickness, real paint thickness, real weld seams, etc. end up being fudged a bit to provide appropriate visuals, and not exactly what we would get with a transporter beam set to 1/144th scale output. So, as long as the model's paint thickness isn't grotesque, I'd not worry about it.

Depends on how much of a rivet counting, super high magnification, West German caliper using scale guy you want to be. If you are hanging out with the top men at NARAM, I think that only very finely layered, high quality airbrushed paint jobs will do for max scoring. Then there are those scary guys with bad eyes that use the ten foot rule!

OK
I'll just park somewhere between The West German Caliper guys and the blind 'ten-footers'!

__________________
Just remember...G. Harry Stine's first ever model rocket was an RTF !

Check out my wonderful model rocketry blog here:
https://castlerocketeer.blogspot.com/

If you plan to have your model judged by Peter Alway and others at a NAR event, you need to take it into consideration. Otherwise, don't worry with it.

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I love sanding.

There you go. Use a bit of effort to make it look good but don't go overboard. You are going to fly the crap out of it and it is going to get beat up.

I don't. I use water based acrylics and I spray on the thin side.