How do I get this carbon off the rim?

[Branzig]

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.

The only time you want to put alcohol on your finished pipe, is if you are looking to take all the stain off and refinish it.

Never get alcohol anywhere near the finish of your pipe. It is instant death to stain and varnish.