When viewing installations of new toilets I notice that some people will put the wax ring directly on the flange and others will put it on the bottom of the toilet. Does it matter?

Thanks. Jim

They both will achieve the same seal. However, the manufacturers recommend applying to the toilet since there is less chance of accidentally marring or nicking the wax as you lower it. That is what I do.

The wax will always be sticky and pliable, that's how they are. There two fittings in your tank, the ballcock and the flush valve which is the seat the flapper seats on and the overflow tube. Sometimes at the factory the installers don't tighten down the retaining nuts tight enough so as a matter of course when we unpack them we finish the job by snugging down all the nuts. Briggs and Eljer toilets were bad about this. Once in a while you will find a green plumber that figures that just because the factory says it's ready to install, it is. If that is the case you can crank those tank bolts down till the china breaks and still have a leak. You can check the ballcock nut without a hassle but to tighten the flush valve nut, the tank will have to come off. If the tank rocks back and forth easy you may be able to snug down those tank bolts but if it is tight and firm do not tighten the bolts as the china is brittle and too much pressure will crack it. If you do tighten the tank bolts be very careful you don't overtighten. I tried to touch all the bases and I hope this has helped. Good luck and thank you for rating this answer. TOM

I think it is a matter of preference. We use both approaches with satisfactory results.