This is a pretty newbie question, but any advice on how to go about doing this is appreciated. Thank you!

 

well you won't be doing any recharge with R12. you'll need to convert the system over to R134, which is pretty much just the fittings on the low and high pressure sides. You'll need a new filter/dryer and maybe installing a new expansion valve may be a good idea. The system will take about 2-3 cans of r134 and you will need ester oil, how much will be determined on what is replaced in your system. If only the filter/dryer .5oz of oil will all that be needed, but you will need to watch how much oil comes out with the freon, that amount will need to re-placed.

 

If you have freon, you need to take it to a AC shop so they can recover the rest of it. That hole in the Ozone layer is still there, making it bigger, we don't need that.

 

I believe you need to purge the system too when you convert it meaning you have to go to the AC shop, whether you care about the hole in the ozone layer or not.

I don't remember the details but a friend of mine can do AC and I seem to remember him saying something about cross contamination if you don't completely remove the R12 before adding the R134.