Most cinder block are soft enough to drive nails into by hand. But is wire the right approach? Why not sand blast the paint off.Better yet get advice from a contractor who does this type work.

I sell EIFS (Senergy,Dryvit) I can tell you that that you will have to use metal lath 3.4 self furring. It cannot be stapled on, you must use either tapcon screws or powder actuated tools (Masterset) and your fasteners must be rated for exterior use. (not the ones you buy at your local home improvement store either). there are special washers for this purpose as well.