Fred:
I am told by people I trust that the best range of Sol type solutions is supplied by Dannny Coreman, DACO Products, he makes 3 different strengths. He is in Europe and that is a pain, but like you say it lasts a good long time. I have also heard that Champs is very strong. Both are available on the internet.
It sounds like what is happening to Frank is beading of the ink on the decal paper. I have tried the Testors paper and it has worked. Perhaps a light flat lacquer coat before printing would help that. It doesn't happen with my HP OfficeJetr Pro K550. I used the photo printing high quality setting to get the richest colors from that printer. The ALPS does a better job, but every time I use it I approach it with fear.
Mark, don't attempt to use inkjet decal paper in any laser printer. Make sure you get laser type decal paper, I use either Pappilon or Tango Papa paper, and like Tango Papa the best. A laser printer will melt the inkjet coating and distribute it inside the printer. I have a color laser printer and it even melts the laser decal paper. The less expensive laser printers are less likely to do that. Unfortunately, the resolution and print quality of a laser printer is not as good as an inkjet or a well managed ALPS in most cases.