a resurfacer for a belt of an elevator system includes a resurfacing roller having a selected surface roughness and a heater element to heat the belt to a selected temperature . a biasing element urges the resurfacing roller into contact with the belt and applies a selected pressure to the belt . a method for altering a surface roughness of a belt of an elevator system includes positioning a resurfacing roller having a selected surface roughness at an outer surface of the belt and heating the belt to a selected temperature . a selected pressure is applied to the belt via the resurfacing roller . the belt is passed along the resurfacing roller and the surface roughness of the belt is altered via the resurfacing roller .