Staining + Varnishing the skirting board before fitting it.. Have I messed up?

[ZoyaZedestroya]

Hi there.

I think i've royally messed up.

We've been doing up our old spare room and we removed some old skirting board (Looked like they'd used picture rail). It literally pulled away from the wall easily.

I then purchased Some cheap bullnose skirting board.
As the room is going to be a very dark green I stained the skirting board Dark Oak. As i am somewhat new to all this i read online it's FAR better to do it before you attach it to the wall.
So.. like a dumb dumb i did. I went to buy some adhesive from B&Q and was told by two workers "You shouldn't have done that in that order"
When i asked why they said "As you've never caulked before you won't be that great at it and it'll ruin the staining and varnish. You'd be better off buying the skirting board again and doing it in the correct order. Attach the skirting boards first, THEN paint using masking tape to protecting the skirting boards and then staining and varnish.".

Is this true? If so it's kinda set me back about £40 which i don't exactly have.

 

[Wayners]

Rubbish.
Stick it on.
Caulk up with dark caulk.
It's not difficult and can't go wrong really.
Caulk.
Finger along.
Damp sponge along if needed will remove excess. Finger along again.

Sometimes I don't use caulk if tight.
Use a dark oak ready mixer filler.

 

[ZoyaZedestroya]

Ty

Rubbish.
Stick it on.
Caulk up with dark caulk.
It's not difficult and can't go wrong really.
Caulk.
Finger along.
Damp sponge along if needed will remove excess. Finger along again.

Sometimes I don't use caulk if tight.
Use a dark oak ready mixer filler.

ty!! I never thought of using dark caulk stupidly!! Its my first time at the rodeo lol

I haven't varnished it yet. Should I at least wait till it's fitted to do that? Or do it before hand. Once again ty!