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A coat of Shellac may help to remove tobacco smell from furniture. If that doesn't work try this:

Rubbing alcohol is a generic term and is usually manufactured with isopropyl alcohol.

Different brands of denatured alcohol contain various denaturants such as bittering agents. The purpose is to discourage recreational human consumption by including additives that are bad tasting, bad-smelling or nauseating.

A 50/50 mix of either rubbing alcohol and denatured alcohol will work for prep cleaning. Both have good solvents that will remove dirt and grime.

You can...we do we do believe that wax can be a beautiful addition to many projects. However, it is best not to use wax in high-use temperature-dependent situations like kitchens or bathrooms.

Answer: There are several ways to determine whether a surface is dry.

Dry OIL BASED products are no longer tacky and they do not emit a smell.

Dry WATER BASED products no longer feel cool to the touch and a powder will form with light sanding. 

John Mosconi of Sting King Lutherie in Akron, Ohio takes us on his journey of refinishing this mandola.

Step 1: Prep and Sealing

There are no guarantees with silicone - it is almost impossible to remove. If the silicone has migrated into the wood through cracks in the old finish, you may not be able to get it all removed.

Unfortunately, silicone contaminants, often from dusting sprays, do not become apparent until a new finish is applied and generally cannot be removed from the surface, only moved around and possibly sealed - a bane of the refinishing industry.

You need to power clean the existing finish and put on some type of barrier coat:

Terri Blau of Arizona attended a Sweet-Stops' milk painting class to learn finishing techniques by Tattered Nest {Vintage Marketplace} and

Sometimes watermarks cannot be removed.

Dark rings are an indication that the watermark is in the wood.

White rings are an indication that the watermark is in the finish.

Possible solutions:

Apply Oxalic Acid mixed 6 oz per quart of water. This can minimize the discoloration but there are no guarantees.

Use bleach is a last resort option. It can remove some rings but may cause a permanent change in the wood.

Your best option is to sand out with 100 grit followed by 120, 150, and then 180. Restain with a darker color.

There are several ways to determine whether a surface is dry:

OIL BASED products are dry if they are no longer tacky and do not emit a smell.

WATER BASED products are dry if they no longer feel cool to the touch and a powder will form with light sanding.

Even though there is internet chatter about removing wax with 3rd party products, mineral spirits or vinegar, none guarantee success.

There is an old saying in the industry. "Once you wax, you cannot go back". Nothing adheres well to wax and even after cleaning, the wood grain can become contaminated. Wax can penetrate the wood, making future paint or stain finishes or touch-ups difficult or impossible.