Was it filled above the fluid line marker? I just got a Finish line and used it the other day for the first time...indoors and it worked really well and no real mess.
Maybe because it is new? Dunno, worked great, but the fluid level is very small and is marked on it on the side.
I just put hot tap water and dish liquid in it, ran it around a few times, then ran a plain water rinse, dried off and then lubed the chain.