Is this process similar to most cars?

 

Pretty much.

Concept is the same. If you have to add 134a then you have a leak. You can continue to top it off, but the truth is a leak is allowing contaminants and moisture into the system that can kill it. So all you are doing by topping it off is kicking the can down the road.

Proper way is to identify the leak and repair it. This will involve DYE and UV light to find the source, and then a way to evacuate the system, replace the leaking part. To refill, you will need a vacuum pump to evacute the system, and then backfill with nitrogen (which tests to make sure the lines hold pressure and helps dry out the system. Then another vacuum of the system and a filling of 134a and necessary oils.

A/C work is not that simple, and costly for a reason.

But you could always do what everyone else does and add a can here and there. One day though it will catch up with you and be a most costly repair than if you just fixed the leak in the first place.