Wanna try Etching, sand blasting is the way to go.

[Jax]

Just to add to Butterfly's comment..as with any project where you will be creating dust..Some type of breathing protection (whether a dust mask or a respirator), eye protection (goggles or safety glasses and hand protection (latex, nitrile,or vinyl gloves) should always be used. It's on every piece of air equipment I have ever used.

Not sure what this abrasive will do but according to Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) it will cause irritation to the lungs and eyes. Nothing in the safety sheets that will harm you permanently

http://www.sisweb.com/referenc/articles/alx.htm

Here is part of the safety sheet about Aluminum Oxide:

SECTION V I- HEALTH HAZARD DATA

Routes of Entry:

INHALATION

Health Hazard (Acute and Chronic): Dust in excess of recommended exposure limits may result in irritation to the respiratory tract.

CARCINOGENICITY: NTP IARC Monographs OSHA Regulation
not listed not listed not listed

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF EXPOSURE: Eye and respiratory irritation may result if recommended exposure limits are exceeded

MEDICAL CONDITIONS GENERALLY AGGRAVATED BY EXPOSURE: Chronic lung conditions may be aggravated by exposure to high concentrations of dust.

EMERGENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES: Remove to fresh air.

SECTION VII - PRECAUTIONS FOR SAFE HANDLING AND USE

STEPS TO BE TAKEN IN CASE MATERIAL IS RELEASED OR SPILLED: Sweep up discard. Avoid excessive dusting.

WASTE DISPOSAL METHOD: May be disposed of in approved landfill in accordance with federal, state and local regulations.

PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN IN STORAGE AND HANDLING: Use adequate ventilation so as to avoid exceeding TLV.

OTHER PRECAUTIONS: None

SECTION VIII - CONTROL MEASURES

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: NIOSH approved dust mask, if recommended exposure limits are exceeded.

VENTILATION: Local exhaust

EYE PROTECTION: NIOSH approved safety glasses

PROTECTIVE GLOVES: None

OTHER PROTECTIVE CLOTHING OR EQUIPMENT: None

[Daynoh]

This sounds interesting