A321 FA reported the cabin was hot; and the flight crew worked together to cool down the aircraft. Once the cabin began to cool; a strong odor began to permeate throughout the cabin; and the reporter's eyes started to feel irritated. The Captain reported that the aircraft had previous odor issues and was prepared to refuse the aircraft.

Narrative

Aircraft came to gate from hangar. Cabin crew immediately noticed a 'warm' smell in the cabin but thought it was associated with having been in the hangar without airflow. Cabin temperature gauges read cabin was 90 degrees F. Due to warm and humid weather in ZZZ and full passenger load; Captain refused to board passengers until cabin cooled to 80 degrees F. Deadheading crew helped ensure air vents were open in the cabin to speed up cooling. As cabin began to cool; a strong odor became prominent. My eyes became irritated and the sharp odor reminded me of paint drying. Crew informed flight deck of smell and all cabin crew; working and deadheading; stepped off aircraft; possibly violating minimum crew requirements; into jet bridge. Odor filled jet bridge as well so crew moved into the terminal. Captain reported aircraft had been written up previously for odor related events and was prepared to refuse the aircraft. Cabin crew called Operations per our procedures to inform them of odor event.