How do I get this carbon off the rim?

[Haebar]

Could you soak a piece of paper towel with alcohol and lay it on the rim and keep adding alcohol as it evaporates until you get the crud "gooey" and then wipe it off?

Scared it might drip on the finish; it's an awesome straight-grain Aldo Velani that I got on Ebay. Thanks for the idea though.