Method for making pneumatic tire with foam noise damper and tire with foam noise damper

A method for making a tire having a foam noise damper (45) is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: pressing a barrier layer (20) onto an exposed virgin surface (28) of a green tire innerliner (16) to adhere the barrier layer to the virgin surface (28) and thereby form a protected green innerliner; curing the protected green innerliner; removing the barrier layer (20) to reveal the virgin surface (28); and securing a foam noise damper (45) to the virgin surface (28).