My 104 was a white Gel cote Kit, Skymaster offers unpainted basic kits similar to a lot of the EU kits. I just ordered a new F-104 from Airworld and on first impression, it's a lot less work than the SM version was to get to a competition level. Unfortunately Skymasters success is often labeled them as a pre painted ARF manufacturer, yet they also offer a builders version of their kits, and for those frugal types they are a lot cheaper. My F-104 build would be like taking the covering off a H9 Corsair and re-doing it to a competition level model, it's a lot of work, perhaps more than scratch in some areas but it can be done. Would it still be called a H9 ARF?, in the right context definitely not, however without somebody understanding the context of what's involved it could be assumed it's just a ARF Kit. Part of the Static Judging process (which validates the context of the build) is you have to show your build process, to validate time invested, it greatly affects your workmanship score.
I believe the intent of the term ARF is plastic film covered, pre painted model. What ever canvas you decide to use, whether it be a scratched built airframe, or a basic fiberglass kit, or re-covered ARF offering, there are 1000's of hours of work to get your scale project looking like a real aircraft, which is what Top Gun is all about for me, making my aircraft look and fly as realistic as possible.