Over block the wire is not as important as it is over some other
material. The real issue for you is to get as much of the flaking
paint off as you can and use "link" to bond the stucco to the block.
I would use a cup brush on a side grinder and knock off everything
that is flaking. Wear a respirator!

Or he could use a commercial pressure washer (not one of those toys
meant for cleaning car wheels). Weldcrete is one brand name of a
bonding agent. If the block is in good shape with no cracks, you
probably don't need mesh and can use one-coat stucco directly on the
Weldcreted block.

update:
knocked off all the loose stucco, 99% came off "easily". Borrowed a 2600
psi presure washer and will clean the blocks. I guess then would be the
time to do any mortar/ repair to block walls prior to bondage. Looked
into lime/mortar wash. Do to some damage to wall [seems a cadillac ran
the stop sign & hit it many years ago] I htink stucco might be better
choice because it could cover more imperfections left from the cadillac.

--
Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/