You can dunk it in solvent of some sort but There are only two ways to really redo the breather.
The first way is to un crimp the cap from the base. I have seen it done with a home made tool but then you have to re crimp it. I don’t think I can pull that off so I use the second method to save what looks like a junk breather.
The second way is to carefully cut in between each of the holes and detach the base from the cap that way. Then you can remove the metal mesh, clean it and check it’s condition, replace if necessary. You can also glass bead both pieces nice and clean. Then repack the cavity with clean or new mesh, install the base and put a small spot weld where each of the cuts was made. Then fresh paint. Good as new.
