First what techniques do you use to simulate wood with paint? Secondly what can I use to color rigging thread?

Ahoy mate!
Quite simply, if the particular kit that I'm building is not listing a certain deck color to follow, or if I'm doing crates, boxes, etc, I use a ModelMaster brand paint color, "Wood" #4673, followed with a dark wash to bring out the woodgrain (if there is any molded in).




Again, quite simply, any permanent ink (ie. marker, Sharpie) will do the job...good luck, and Keep Modeling!
~Gunny

You don't mention what scale you want to do. One technique I use for 1/35 armor, and will probably use for 1/72 decking, is to paint the wood gray, any brand will do, then put down a coat of oil paint in various shades, ochre, sienna, etc. Oil paints take a long time to dry and before it's dry I then take a brush and brush off some of the oil paint, leaving streaks that look like the wood grain. It really comes out very realistic.