Does anyone know of a way to strip the finish of a Medalist and redo the original finish?
No, but why would you want to? Is it that bad?
These folks will know
https://www.onepfoot.com/Contact.php
I understand the original owner has passed, and the family is now doing this, but when I dealt with them a couple years ago I found them to be outstanding.
pillcastor…I talked to Bill at onepfoot several years ago and he said he was working on a method but as far as I know he never finished the task.
Dave, good question for which I don’t have a good answer except to say “because i want to try too.” I guess it’s kind of like why would you refinish an antique car?
I have stripped a couple. I used regular paint stripper. I then used a Dremal tool with with a sanding disk that looks like 3m pad. I then sprayed it with Alumna Hyde from Brownell’s.
I used denatured alcohol and a tooth brush. then hit it with a dremel with a bronze brush. I used a valspar spray in semi gloss black that i got from the local Tractor Supply(only place i’ve seen it) the finiah is close. not too glossy and not a flat black.
Well, how did it turn out, and how has the paint held to the reel?
Years ago I refinished a couple of them. A problem I had at first was WHEN i just resprayed them without stripping the old paint first. I finally stripped them by using regular paint remover. If you don’t strip them, old chipped areas will be seen beneath your new paint and, as in my case, any spots that are not really cleaned of oil and grease will not hold the new paint.
Psst, wanna buy a new one cheap? 
Mine is still holding up. it take some work in masking off the areas you don’t want pained but in the long run it was worth the 30 mins.
I love the well worn look of my old Medalists. Battle scars you might say. No way I would refinish my old Medalists.
In spite of the proliferation of premium priced reels that definitely have functional advantages I consider the Pflueger Medalists (and even the less expensive Gem) to be the real dominant classics. They have been around for over half a century (?) with only minor changes. I have several and I think they are indestructable. Their recent fly rods aren’t too bad either. 
Anyone tried Sharpie “PAINT” markers or other brand pen paints?
I can’t believe what I snagged today…was listing a free BBQ on Craig’s list today and thought I would just check for any Medalists.
I got a NIB 1492… 6 rivet ,sculptured pillars,pristine Medalist for $30…price on the box was $8.95 but that sure isn’t what they are going foron ebay…may be a good day afterall.