How do I change the properties of a material that is in an object?

To help straighten things out:

Components go on GameObjects.

Renderers are Components that render things.

Renderers contain Material references.

Materials are not Components. Materials are Assets.

With those relations in mind, google for how to change materials to get a simple tutorial on all the other issues that vary depending on what you are trying to do.

ALSO, here is more:

Materials materials array of materials renderer: