a few years back, when i just started to build models, i never painted them. when i put decals on, i didn't even use any setters or solvents. i never clear-coated anything. despite that, i don't recall having any problems with them other that silvering, and them being very easy to lift off the model(back then i didn't even know about any setters or solvents or even the existence of clear-coats!!)
i wonder how i ever lived with models w/o paint...