No you are supposed to prime with the fuel but you can use priming paste, You have it backwards.

The whole idea is that you do not need a separate item to carry just to prime the stove like the stoves that preceeded the whisperlight.

If you use as little fuel as possible to prime the stove you will get very little soot on the stove and only on the underside of the burner which is easily wiped off.

If you are experienced with this stove it is entirely safe to handle while priming with only the fuel and do not need the priming paste.

I have owned the same Whisperlight Intl. for over 10 years now and I have sold, repaired, cleaned and taught customers how to use this stove and all other MSR stoves for more that 7 years.