Quick answer
Dry blasting is faster for heavy rust and open production when dust can be managed; wet (slurry/vapor) blasting suppresses dust and can deliver smoother finishes on parts that need cleaner indoor operation.
Dry blasting strengths
Dry abrasive blasting removes heavy rust, mill scale and coatings quickly. Portable pots and pressure cabinets are workhorses for steel preparation when dust extraction or outdoor containment is available.
Wet / vapor blasting strengths
Wet systems mix media with water to cut airborne dust and often produce a finer, more uniform finish — useful for precision parts, restoration work and shops that must keep neighbouring areas cleaner.
Expect different media handling, slurry management and sometimes slower stock removal than aggressive dry blasting.
Dust-critical sites
If dry blasting is required but dust escape is unacceptable, consider vacuum blasting or a properly extracted cabinet/room before defaulting to open dry blasting indoors.