You got me all worked up so I just went out to the garage and did it.
I used 1 1/2 cans of carb cleaner and sprayed it in the bottom until it came out the top and shook the hell out of it while holding my hands over the bottom and the top (side) holes. Then I drainned it out and did it a bunch more times until it came out pretty clear. By the time I was done the carb cleaner took off all the old paint so I rinsed it off with soapy water, dried it, scuffed it up with some red scotchbrite pad and painted it black. Now it's hanging up and I will throw it back on tomorrow, or later tonite.