Abstract: A tire buffing apparatus is illustrated having a tire mounting means carried on a platform movable in and out on a path substantially normal to a driven rasp for engaging and disengaging the tire with respect to the rasp, wherein a fluid operated cylinder is pivotably mounted on the platform and has a piston rod pivotally connected to the tire mounting means. The method contemplates buffing the tire beginning in a medial portion of the crown of the tire and moving the tire in a first motion with respect to the rasp for buffing that portion between the medial portion through a shoulder on one side and then taking the tire out of engagement with the rasp and returning same to the initial position prior to engaging the tire with the rasp and buffing that portion of the tire surface on the other side of the medial portion.