Yeah, it's true. Overcoating with clear laquer will all too often 'eat' decals. It
can be done, but if it works, it's often as much being lucky as being carefull. This is why Tamiya recommends not clear coating. With a beautiful, complicated decal scheme like the Impreza WRC, it'd be painfull to ruin them!
If you must clearcoat (and decal longevity is a pretty good argument to do so), then I'd recommend airbrushing an acrylic clear, very lightly, in several (4-6) layers. Tamiya clear (X20?) is my favorite for this.
