Ditto...Bug,
1.) I prime and paint the first coat on the shoe before installing.
2.) no caulking between shoe and floor. If you install the shoe tight to the base, paint will more than likely bridge the gap on final coat. If you have a gap here and there, caulk with a paintable caulk. On the final coat of paint, I don't tape, but stay about a scant 1/8" off the bottom of the base. If you get any paint on the floor, wrap a damp cloth around a stiff putty knife and wipe it off.
3.) I would stop the base at the point on the tread where the bullnose radius begins. Return it into itself so you have a nice finished end.
Mike Hawkins:smile: