A colour change on board is the refitting intervention that transforms the appearance of an element of the yacht — a piece of furniture, a panel, a handrail, a decorative detail — by altering its finish and shade without replacing it. It is achieved by combining three craft processes: painting, the application of metal leaf and polishing. It is the solution chosen by owners who want to renew their interiors, adapt them to a new interior design project or correct dated finishes, while keeping the vessel’s original elements.
In this article we explain how the Orazzini Refitting team carries out a chromatic transformation directly on board, and when each of the three techniques is the right choice.
When to choose a colour change for an element on board
The reasons that lead an owner to request a colour change are recurring ones. An interior refit with a new styling concept requires the existing elements to fall in line with the new palette. A dated original finish — wood tones that are no longer current, lacquers that have lost their gloss — can undermine the overall perception of the spaces. In other cases the aim is to enhance a single detail: a frame, a profile, a decorative element that, with the right finish, becomes the focal point of the room.
The principle remains the same one that guides all of Orazzini Refitting’s work: before replacing, we always assess whether the existing element can be transformed. A colour change preserves the original component, reduces costs compared with a new bespoke build and guarantees faster turnaround times.
Painting: the basis of the chromatic transformation
Painting is the main technique for changing the colour of an element on board. It is not simply a matter of applying paint: it is a complete cycle that starts with the preparation of the substrate and ends with the final finish.
The marine painting cycle follows precise stages. The surface is sanded and cleaned to guarantee adhesion. Imperfections are corrected with precision filling. A primer is applied to even out the substrate and isolate the previous finish. The colour is then laid on in several coats, with controlled drying between one application and the next. The choice between a gloss, satin or matt finish defines the final character of the element.
On board a yacht, painting calls for specific measures: protection of the adjacent surfaces, management of dust and ventilation in enclosed spaces, products compatible with the marine environment. These are skills that Orazzini Refitting’s paint technicians have been applying for over 25 years on complex surfaces.
Leaf application: when colour becomes a precious material
The application of metal leaf — gold, silver or other alloys — is the decorative process that turns an element into a detail of real distinction. The leaf is applied by hand, sheet by sheet, over a specific preparation of the substrate, and then protected with clear finishes that preserve its brilliance in the marine environment.
It is a craft gilding technique that requires manual skill, patience and absolute control of the surface: every overlap, every join between sheets must be invisible once the work is finished. On yachts it is used for frames, profiles, decorative details and surfaces that the interior design project wants to bring to the fore. The result is a materic effect that no metallic paint can replicate.
Polishing: the stage that defines the final result
Craft polishing is the process that completes every chromatic transformation. Through progressive passes with increasingly fine abrasives and polishing compounds, the surface reaches the degree of gloss called for by the project: from the deep mirror of high-gloss lacquers to the uniform softness of satin finishes.
Polishing also has a technical function: it removes the micro-irregularities left by the painting stage, evens out the reflections and protects the finish over time. It is the step that separates a job done correctly from an excellent one — and it is the stage where the craftsman’s experience makes a difference visible to the naked eye.
Three techniques, a single intervention carried out on board
Painting, leaf and polishing are not separate services: in a colour change project they work together. Painting defines the new chromatic base, the leaf enhances the details selected by the project, polishing brings every surface to its final degree of finish. Coordinating the three processes within a single intervention guarantees consistency of result across the whole space.
The Orazzini Refitting mobile crew carries out the entire cycle directly on board, wherever the yacht is located, as already described for the refitting of tables and the restoration of the wooden bedside table. No transfer to a shipyard, no invasive dismantling: the element is transformed in place, with professional protection of the surrounding spaces.
With over 25 years of experience, more than 125 clients served and work carried out in 35 locations around the world, Orazzini Refitting is the reference point for the craft transformation of on-board elements. If you are considering a colour change for an element of your yacht, contact us for a consultation: we will analyse the element and define the technique, finish and work plan together.