Need an efficient way to recolour an object in a photo to a standard color Answered

I will shortly be in need of an efficient way to colour an object in a photo to a standard colour without losing the shading and highlighting.
I know it can be done manually in any number of programs but I may have thousands of photos to do so need an automatred process or one that requires only seconds per photo to efficiently accomplish the task.
Anyone got a suggestion?
All helpful ideas greatfully received.