In clear water, if you cannot see your painted anchor, you can assume that it has dug itself deep into the sand. If it's not painted, you cannot assume anything because it just might be blending in with the environment.
I've painted anchors with plain silver paint and with silver Hammerite which lasts about half a season but the best job was hot dip zinc galvanised when I got the chain done - looks like new.
My own anchors have always be painted in white (or the Spade in yellow) .. not against corrosion but like Sting, to check if the anchor is perfectly dug in..
Against corrosion, unfortunately no paint will last for long.. regalvanise!..
If your anchor is a genuine CQR it was made as a drop forging and the rust will only be superficial and no cause for concern. It will disappear after the first time you use it. As for seeing it dig in the only place I have ever seen an anchor dig in in any depth of water was in the Seychelles. Water is far too cloudy around here.
Galvanising will give you a semi permanent nice look.
Thanks for the replies everyone. And apologies for putting this on the wrong channel.
I never used to bother about this sort of thing – until I moved into a marina……………
I just can’t stop polishing , cleaning, painting and general tarting up type stuff.
Does this happen after being on swinging moorings for years ?
Have to say that I just love the marina berth having decried them for most of my sailing life.
Rather than painting the anchor, have now decided to attach a cluster of LED light bulbs or a coating of waste plutonium to the CQR which might indicate if it has gone in properly.