staining wood trim/ baseboard

[Keith Thomas]

I have never stained Baseboard before. I have only done painted baseboard. Every other wood project I've done was stained after all of the cuts were made and things were put together.
What I have is maple baseboard that is going to go around my kitchen cabinets.

My first instinct is to stain all of the baseboard first and then cut it. But then will the cut edges show?
OR
if I cut it first and then stain it will the cut edges absorb more stain and leave a dark line where all the miters are?
WHICH WAY IS CORRECT?

 

[Wayne Eikenberry]

I don't know about correct, but on all the jobs I've done all the trim has been stained/finished prior to cutting. If joints are tight, cut edges shouldn't show. I think cutting and fitting loose pieces before stain/finish leaves room for a lot of errors.

 

[larry merlau]

i agree with wayne, on the job sites i have been involved with stain and finish first cut and install. if by chance you have bare wood show up just touch it up with stain or stain marker

 

[Keith Thomas]

that makes sense. I guess i was worried about the size of my joints and touching up with stain where I get sain on the end grain. I'm average at best. with painted base I just do my best and add caulk lol. But if i cut first I guess i still will have end grain to contend with.